Source: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
There are numerous etiquettes and Sunnahs associated with fasting, adherence to which is essential for every fasting person so that they may attain Taqwa and derive the complete benefit from this sacred act of worship. Below is a detailed explanation of these etiquettes:
The primary objective of fasting is to cultivate Taqwa (God-consciousness).
The Noble Qur'an states:
﴿يـأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا كُتِبَ عَلَيكُمُ الصِّيامُ كَما كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذينَ مِن قَبلِكُم لَعَلَّكُم تَتَّقونَ﴾ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous."
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلّٰهِ حَاجَةٌ فِی أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Man Lam Yadaʿ Qawla al-Zūr wa al-ʿAmala bihi fī al-Ṣawm, Ḥadīth: 1903)
Translation:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink.”
In another narration, abandoning ignorant and foolish talk is also commanded alongside falsehood.
An important etiquette of fasting is to increase in acts of charity, kindness, and righteousness during the month of Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people even outside of Ramadan. However, during Ramadan, when Jibrīl (ʿalayhis-salām) would come to review the Qur'an with him, his generosity would reach extraordinary levels.
The fasting person must completely avoid the following sins:
◈ Lying
◈ Abusive language
◈ Deception and fraud
◈ Breach of trust
◈ Lustful gazes
◈ Engaging in prohibited entertainment
Remaining distant from all such forbidden matters is essential for safeguarding the soul and spirit of the fast.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Suhoor and described it as a source of blessing:
«تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِی السَّحُورِ بَرَکَةً»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Ṣawm, Bāb Barakat al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1923; and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Faḍl al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1095)
Translation:
“Take Suhoor, for there is blessing in Suhoor.”
At the time of Iftar, the following etiquettes should be observed:
✔ Break the fast with moist dates
✔ If not available, then with dry dates
✔ If that too is unavailable, then with water
✔ Break the fast immediately upon sunset
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Ṣawm, Bāb Taʿjīl al-Iftār, Ḥadīth: 1957; and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Faḍl al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1098)
Translation:
“People will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast.”
✔ Summary of Etiquettes:
① Adopt Taqwa, as it is the goal of fasting
② Avoid lies, vulgar speech, and sinful actions
③ Increase in charity and righteous deeds, especially in Ramadan
④ Completely avoid haram, such as fraud, cheating, immoral glances
⑤ Eat Suhoor and delay it near the end of its time
⑥ Hasten Iftar and follow the Sunnah method of breaking the fast
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
There are numerous etiquettes and Sunnahs associated with fasting, adherence to which is essential for every fasting person so that they may attain Taqwa and derive the complete benefit from this sacred act of worship. Below is a detailed explanation of these etiquettes:
➊ Adopting Taqwa of Allah ﷻ
The primary objective of fasting is to cultivate Taqwa (God-consciousness).
The Noble Qur'an states:
﴿يـأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا كُتِبَ عَلَيكُمُ الصِّيامُ كَما كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذينَ مِن قَبلِكُم لَعَلَّكُم تَتَّقونَ﴾ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous."
➋ Abstaining from Lies, Obscenity, and Evil Deeds
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلّٰهِ حَاجَةٌ فِی أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Man Lam Yadaʿ Qawla al-Zūr wa al-ʿAmala bihi fī al-Ṣawm, Ḥadīth: 1903)
Translation:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, then Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink.”
In another narration, abandoning ignorant and foolish talk is also commanded alongside falsehood.
➌ Increasing in Charity and Righteous Deeds
An important etiquette of fasting is to increase in acts of charity, kindness, and righteousness during the month of Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people even outside of Ramadan. However, during Ramadan, when Jibrīl (ʿalayhis-salām) would come to review the Qur'an with him, his generosity would reach extraordinary levels.
➍ Complete Abstention from Haram and Sinful Acts
The fasting person must completely avoid the following sins:
◈ Lying
◈ Abusive language
◈ Deception and fraud
◈ Breach of trust
◈ Lustful gazes
◈ Engaging in prohibited entertainment
Remaining distant from all such forbidden matters is essential for safeguarding the soul and spirit of the fast.
➎ Eating Suhoor and Delaying It Towards the End
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Suhoor and described it as a source of blessing:
«تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِی السَّحُورِ بَرَکَةً»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Ṣawm, Bāb Barakat al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1923; and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Faḍl al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1095)
Translation:
“Take Suhoor, for there is blessing in Suhoor.”
➏ Hastening Iftar and Its Method
At the time of Iftar, the following etiquettes should be observed:
✔ Break the fast with moist dates
✔ If not available, then with dry dates
✔ If that too is unavailable, then with water
✔ Break the fast immediately upon sunset
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Ṣawm, Bāb Taʿjīl al-Iftār, Ḥadīth: 1957; and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Ṣiyām, Bāb Faḍl al-Suḥūr, Ḥadīth: 1098)
Translation:
“People will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast.”
✔ Summary of Etiquettes:
① Adopt Taqwa, as it is the goal of fasting
② Avoid lies, vulgar speech, and sinful actions
③ Increase in charity and righteous deeds, especially in Ramadan
④ Completely avoid haram, such as fraud, cheating, immoral glances
⑤ Eat Suhoor and delay it near the end of its time
⑥ Hasten Iftar and follow the Sunnah method of breaking the fast
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
