How Do We Know When to Break Our Fast?
`Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the night approaches from this side (i.e., the east) and the day retreats from that side (i.e., west) and the sun sets, then it is time for a person observing Saum (fasting) to break his fast.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] (Source)
Hastening to Break the Fast
Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the Saum (fasting).”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim) (Source)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Most High says: `From amongst my slaves, the quicker the one is in breaking the Saum (fasting), the dearer is he to me.”’[At-Tirmidhi] (Source)
Abu Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Masruq and I visited `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and said: “O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer).” She asked, “Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?” Masruq said, “It is `Abdullah (meaning `Abdullah bin Mas`ud).” She said, “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.” [Muslim] (Source)
Hastening to Open the Fast - Abu Muadh Taqweem (quick benefit):
Hasten to break your fast & pray Maghrib Prayer in the Masjid – Shaykh al-Albaani
"He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to break the Fast with three dates. He would eat three dates. Then he would pray the Maghrib Prayer, then he would eat again if he found that he needed to eat the evening meal."
Doubt as to whether or not the sun has set (to break your fast)
Hastening to Break the Fast Worksheets
There are two versions; the first for younger kids and the second for a little older kids.
Breaking the Fast with Dates
Salman bin `Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When one of you breaks his Saum (fasting), let him break it on dates; if he does not have any, break his fast with water for it is pure.” [Abu Dawud]. Source
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date-fruits, he will eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date-fruits; he would take three draughts of water. [At-Tirmidhi]. Source
What Do We Break Our Fast With?
Supplication for Breaking the Fast
"The supplication which is reported from the Prophet sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is:
اللهم لك صمت و على رزقك أفطرت
(Allaahumma Laka Sumtu Wa ‘Ala Rizqika Aftartu.)“Oh, Allaah! For Your sake I have fasted and with Your sustenance I have broken my fast.”
ذهب الظمأُ، وابتلت الروق و ثبت الأجر إن شاء الله
(Thahabath-Thama’u Wabtallatil-‘Urooqu Wa Thabatal-Ajru In Sha’ Allaah.)“Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allaah wills.”
Although there may be some weakness in these two ahadith, some of the Scholars have declared them to be Hasan; and in any case, if you supplicated using these words or any others words that came to your heart when breaking your fast, then it is most likely to be answered."
Source: Supplications Upon Breaking the Fast & Responding to the Mu’aththin – Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen
Color coded to help learn the vocabulary of these duaas.
Feeding the One Breaking His/Her Fast
The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said,
“Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward.” [At-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani (rahimahullaah).]Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen (rahimahullaah) said,
“Those who have the ability should strive to feed those who are fasting (when it’s time to break the fast) either in the masaajid or in other places. This is since whoever feeds a fasting person, he will receive the same reward as the one fasting. So if a person feeds his brothers who are fasting, he will receive the same reward as them. Therefore, those whom Allaah has granted wealth should take advantage of this opportunity to obtain a great reward.”From: Great Reward of feeding a Fasting Person to Break his Fast – Dr. Saleh as Saleh
Breaking the Fast in Someone's Home
When you are breaking your fast in someone's home, you can say this duaa:
أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُم الصّائِمونَ وَأَكَلَ طَعامَكُمُ الأبْرار، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الملائِكَة
Aftara ‘indakumus-saa’imoona, wa ‘akala ta’aamakumul-‘abraaru, wa sallat ‘alaykumul-malaa’ikatu
With you, those who are fasting have broken their fast, you have fed those who are righteous, and the angels recite their prayers upon you. (Source)
Praying Maghrib BEFORE eating dinner
Error: Partaking of Dinner before the Performance of the Maghrib Prayer #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/RSwV866CDY— troid.org (@troidorg) April 24, 2020
