This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
What is said about the Tahajjud Adhan?
Answer:
The call to prayer (Adhan) for Tahajjud prayer is not prescribed, because Tahajjud is a voluntary prayer and there is no Adhan for voluntary prayers; there is consensus on this.
❀ Allama Ibn Battal, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (449 AH)
, says:في إجماع المسلمين على أن النافلة بالليل والنهار لا أذان لها دليل بين أن أذانه كان لصلاة الصبح
“The consensus of the Muslims is that there is no Adhan for the voluntary prayers of day and night. This is clear evidence that Sayyiduna Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, gave the Adhan on foot for the Fajr prayer.”
Reference: (Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari: 2/251)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (463 AH)
, says:قد أجمع العلماء أن لا أذان ولا إقامة في النافلة فأغنى عن الكلام في ذلك
“Undoubtedly, the consensus of the scholars is that there is neither Adhan nor Iqamah for voluntary prayers, so there is no need for further discussion on this issue.”
Reference: (Al-Tamhid: 8/108)
In the Prophetic era, the Adhan that was called before the break of dawn (Fajr) was intended as a warning that the time for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) was ending. Therefore, the one who wants to pray voluntary prayers should eat Suhoor, and the sleeping person should wake up and prepare for the Fajr prayer. This Adhan does not establish the permissibility of multiple Adhans for Fajr prayer. Also, the first Adhan does not suffice in place of the second Adhan. The real Adhan of Fajr is the one after the break of dawn. If someone mistakenly calls the second Adhan before the time, then after the time enters, the Adhan will be called again.
The first Adhan is essentially a notification and a prelude to the Adhan of Fajr prayer. There is not much time gap between the Adhan of Fajr and the one called before it.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إن بلالا يؤذن بليل فكلوا واشربوا حتى يؤذن ابن أم مكتوم قال ولم يكن بينهما إلا أن ينزل هذا ويرقى هذا
“Bilal calls the Adhan at night, so (after that) eat and drink until Abdullah bin Umm Maktum calls the Adhan. Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, narrates that there was not much time between the two Adhans; when one descended (from the pulpit or minaret), the other ascended.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1092)
Although the words mentioned in this hadith do not literally mean the reality, it proves the short interval between the Adhans of Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, and Abdullah bin Umm Maktum, may Allah be pleased with him.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لا يمنعن أحدكم أو أحدا منكم أذان بلال من سحوره فإنه يؤذن أو ينادي بليل ليرجع قائمكم ولينبه نائمكم
“Do not prevent anyone from eating Suhoor because Bilal calls the Adhan at night so that those who are standing (in prayer or preparing for Fajr) may return, and those who are asleep may wake up.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 621, Sahih Muslim: 1093)
❀ Sayyiduna Samurah bin Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لا يغرنكم من سحوركم أذان بلال
“Do not be deceived regarding Bilal’s Adhan for Suhoor.”
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1094)
The Adhan called before the Fajr Adhan cannot be called the Adhan of Tahajjud prayer or Suhoor; its purpose has already been mentioned in the hadith. Also, this Adhan can be called throughout the year; there is no evidence to restrict it only to Ramadan.
Warning:
In this discussion, also observe the investigation of some narrations.
❀ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
لا يغرنكم أذان بلال فإن في بصره شيئا
"Do not be deceived by Bilal’s Adhan, for his eyesight is weak."
Reference: (Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi: 1/140, Hadith: 866)
The chain is weak. Qatadah and Saeed bin Abi Aroobah are both mudallis (concealers), and the hearing is not specified.
❀ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Shayban bin Malik رضي الله عنه:
دخلت المسجد فجلست إلى حجرة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فسمعني النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أتنحنح فقال أبو يحيى فقلت نعم فقال هلم إلى الغداء فقلت إني أريد الصوم فقال وأنا أريد الصوم ولكن مؤذننا في عينه سوء وإنه أذن قبل أن ينشق الفجر
"I entered the mosque (the Prophet’s Mosque) and sat near the chamber of the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. The Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم heard me snoring and said: Abu Yahya (the kunyah of Shayban رضي الله عنه), is that you? I replied: Yes. He said: Come, eat. I said: I intend to fast. He said: I also intend to fast, but our Mu'adhdhin’s eyesight is weak; he gave the Adhan before the dawn (Fajr) had actually risen."
Reference: (Al-Ahad wa al-Muthani by Ibn Abi Asim: 2652, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 7/311, Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 8023)
The chain is weak.
➊ Ash'ath bin Suwar is "weak."
➋ Yahya bin 'Ibad’s hearing from Sayyiduna Shayban رضي الله عنه could not be confirmed.
❀ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما:
إن بلالا أذن بليل فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ما حملك على ذلك قال استيقظت وأنا وسنان فظننت أن الفجر قد طلع فأذنت فأمره النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن ينادي في المدينة ثلاثا إن العبد رقد ثم أقعده إلى جنبه حتى طلع الفجر ثم قال قم الآن
"(Once) Bilal رضي الله عنه gave the Adhan at night (before the dawn). The Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم asked him: Why did you do this? He replied: I woke up drowsy and thought that dawn had broken, so I gave the Adhan. The Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم instructed him to announce three times in Medina: 'The servant (Bilal) was overcome by sleep (hence gave the Adhan early).' Then the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم seated Bilal beside him until the dawn broke, then said: Now get up (and give the Adhan)."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 532, Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1800)
The narration is weak. It is a mistake to present this narration as mutawassil (continuous).
❀ Imam Bayhaqi رحمه الله says:
هو ضعيف لا يصح
"This narration is weak and not established."
Reference: (Al-Sunan al-Kubra, under number: 1799)
❀ It is narrated from Humaid bin Hilal رحمه الله:
إن بلالا أذن ليلة بسواد فأمره رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يرجع إلى مقامه فينادي إن العبد نام
"Sayyiduna Bilal رضي الله عنه gave the Adhan at night due to darkness (before dawn), so the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ordered him to return to his place and announce that the servant (Bilal) was overcome by sleep."
Reference: (Sunan al-Daraqutni: 957)
The chain is weak due to being mursal. Humaid bin Hilal is a Tabi'i; how could he report an event from the Prophetic era?
❀ It is narrated from a Sahabiyah of the tribe of Banu Najjar:
كان بيتي من أطول بيت حول المسجد وكان بلال يؤذن عليه الفجر فيأتي بسحر فيجلس على البيت ينظر إلى الفجر فإذا رآه تمطى ثم قال اللهم إني أحمدك وأستعينك على قريش أن يقيموا دينك قالت ثم يؤذن قالت والله ما علمته كان تركها ليلة واحدة تعني هذه الكلمات
"My house was the highest among the houses around the Prophet’s Mosque. Bilal رضي الله عنه used to climb it and give the Fajr Adhan. He would come at the time of Suhoor, sit on the roof, and watch for the dawn. When he saw it, he would stretch and then recite this supplication: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَحْمَدُكَ وَأَسْتَعِينُكَ عَلَى قُرَيْشٍ أَنْ يُقِيمُوا دِينَكَ O Allah! I praise You alone and seek help from You alone against the disbelievers of Quraysh so that they may establish Your religion. Then Bilal رضي الله عنه would give the Adhan. By Allah! I do not know that he ever missed saying these words even one night."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 519, Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 1/425)
The chain is weak.
➊ Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ayyub Baghdadi did not hear Maghazi from Ibrahim bin Sa’d.
❀ The statement of Ishaq bin Abi Isra'il رحمه الله indicates the same.
Reference: (Al-Kamil by Ibn 'Adi: 1/285, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Imam Yahya bin Ma'in رحمه الله also inclined towards this view.
Reference: (Su'alat Ibn al-Junaid: 863)
➋ 'Urwah bin Zubair رحمه الله’s Najjar could not be confirmed to have heard from this Sahabiyah.
❀ Sayyida Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أذن المؤذن بالفجر قام فصلى ركعتي الفجر ثم خرج إلى المسجد وحرم الطعام وكان لا يؤذن حتى يصبح
"When the Mu'adhdhin gave the Fajr Adhan, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would stand and perform the two Sunnah prayers of Fajr, then go towards the mosque, forbidding food for the fasting person. The Mu'adhdhin would give the Adhan exactly at the time when the morning had broken."
Reference: (Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi: 1/140, and its chain is Hasan)
Question:
What is the ruling on verbal intention (niyyah) for fasting?
Answer:
It is not established.
Question:
How is it to say these words بصوم غد نويت من شهر رمضان while making the intention for fasting?
Answer:
These words are said when making the intention for fasting:
بصوم غد نويت من شهر رمضان
"I intend to fast tomorrow."
These words are not correct in meaning either. Saying "I intend to fast tomorrow" in the intention for the day on which the fast is being kept is ridiculous.
❀ Allama Mulla Ali Qari Hanafi, may Allah have mercy on him, declared these words baseless.
Reference: (Mirqat al-Mafatih: 4/1387)
Intention is the name of the heart's resolve and purpose; making intention verbally is an innovation.
Question:
Is eating suhoor recommended?
Answer:
Eating suhoor is Sunnah and recommended, because it is a concession from Allah Almighty, and acting upon a concession is beloved.
❀ The command of Allah Almighty is:
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
“Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread.”
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:187)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (774 AH)
, says:في إباحته تعالى جواز الأكل إلى طلوع الفجر دليل على استحباب السحور لأنه من باب الرخصة والأخذ بها محبوب ولهذا وردت السنة الثابتة عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالحث على السحور لأنه من باب الرخصة
“Allah Almighty’s permission to eat (and drink) until the break of dawn is evidence that having suhoor is recommended, because it is a kind of concession and acting upon a concession is beloved. That is why in the authentic hadiths from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, there is encouragement to have suhoor, because it is a concession.”
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 1/513)
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
تسحروا فإن في السحور بركة
“Take suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in suhoor.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1923, Sahih Muslim: 1095)
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
صمنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رمضان فلم يقم بنا شيئا من الشهر حتى بقي سبع فقام بنا حتى ذهب ثلث الليل فلما كانت السادسة لم يقم بنا فلما كانت الخامسة قام بنا حتى ذهب شطر الليل فقلت يا رسول الله لو نفلتنا قيام هذه الليلة قال فقال إن الرجل إذا صلى مع الإمام حتى ينصرف حسب له قيام ليلة قال فلما كانت الرابعة لم يقم فلما كانت الثالثة جمع أهله ونساءه والناس فقام بنا حتى خشينا أن يفوتنا الفلاح قال قلت وما الفلاح قال السحور ثم لم يقم بقية الشهر
“We fasted Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. He did not lead us in night prayer except on the twenty-third night for a third of the night. On the twenty-fourth night, he did not lead us in night prayer, then on the twenty-fifth night, he led us until half the night. I said: O Messenger of Allah! I wish you would lead us for the whole night. He said: The reward of praying in congregation is like the reward of praying the whole night. On the twenty-sixth night, he did not lead us in night prayer. On the twenty-seventh night, he led the companions along with their families in night prayer until we feared that we might miss the suhoor. The narrator asked Sayyiduna Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him: What is meant by ‘missing the suhoor’? He said: Suhoor. Then he did not lead us in night prayer for the remaining nights.”
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 5/159, Sunan Abi Dawood: 1375, Sunan an-Nasa’i: 1606, Sunan at-Tirmidhi: 806, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1327, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Sayyiduna Nu’man bin Bashir, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
قمنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في شهر رمضان ليلة ثلاث وعشرين إلى ثلث الليل الأول ثم قمنا معه ليلة خمس وعشرين إلى نصف الليل ثم قمنا معه ليلة سبع وعشرين حتى ظننا أن لا ندرك الفلاح وكانوا يسمونه السحور
“We prayed with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, on the twenty-third night for a third of the night. Then on the twenty-fifth night for half the night, and on the twenty-seventh night for so long that we feared missing the suhoor.”
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 4/272, Sunan an-Nasa’i: 1607, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him (1/440), declared this hadith authentic according to Imam Bukhari’s conditions, and Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, said it is Hasan (good).
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إنا معشر الأنبياء أمرنا أن نؤخر سحورنا ونعجل فطرنا وأن نمسك بأيماننا على شمائلنا في صلاتنا
“We prophets were commanded to delay suhoor and hasten iftar, and also (commanded) to fold the right hand over the left hand in prayer.”
Reference: (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir by at-Tabarani: 11/199, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him (1770), declared this hadith authentic.
❀ Hafiz Sayuti, may Allah have mercy on him, said its chain is authentic.
Reference: (Tanweer al-Hawalik: 1/133)
All these hadiths are evidence that having suhoor was also the Sunnah of the earlier Prophets, the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and the practice of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. This alone is sufficient to establish the recommendation of suhoor.
Question:
The obligatory ghusl was delayed, what is the ruling on suhoor?
Answer:
Eat suhoor, then perform ghusl afterwards.
Question:
Sirens or announcements are made for suhoor and iftar, what is the ruling on this from the Shariah perspective?
Answer:
It is not permissible. Fasting should begin at the adhan and iftar should be at the adhan.
Question:
At suhoor time, someone kept paan in the mouth and fell asleep; when they woke up, it was already morning. What is the ruling on the fast?
Answer:
After waking up, spit out the paan and rinse the mouth; the fast is valid.
Question:
What is the ruling on "wasal" during fasting?
Answer:
Wisaal in fasting means not breaking the fast after sunset and spending the entire night hungry and thirsty until the time for the next day's suhoor arrives, thus effectively joining one fast with the next.
Wisaal in fasting was permissible for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but it is disliked for his followers.
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى عن الوصال فقيل إنك تواصل فقال إني لست كأحدكم إني أبيت أطعم وأسقى
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade wisaal (continuing the fast without breaking it). Someone asked: O Messenger of Allah! You do wisaal? He said: I am not like you; I am given food and drink at night."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1922, Sahih Muslim: 1102, Al-Muntaqa li Ibn al-Jarood: 394)
Question:
What is the ruling on fasting without suhoor?
Answer:
Whether the fast is voluntary or obligatory, having suhoor is recommended, Sunnah, and a source of goodness and blessing. However, the fast is valid without it, provided the intention for fasting is made.
Question:
A person smoked a cigarette or hookah after the time for suhoor had ended, thinking that there was still time left. What is the ruling on his fast?
Answer:
Cigarette and hookah are impermissible. However, since it happened out of doubt, the fast is valid.
Question:
If one could not have suhoor for a mandatory fast and wakes up later, what should he do?
Answer:
If the intention for fasting was made before Fajr, the fast can be kept without suhoor.
Question:
If one wakes up early in the morning, neither has suhoor nor made the intention to fast, what is the ruling?
Answer:
If it is a mandatory fast, it is not valid without intention. However, the intention for a voluntary fast can be made even after sunrise, provided nothing has been eaten or drunk since Fajr.
Question:
If after eating suhoor, one has intercourse with his wife before Fajr, what is the ruling?
Answer:
There is no harm; the fast should be continued.
Question:
If unknowingly one ate suhoor after the call to Fajr prayer, what is the ruling?
Answer:
The fast should be continued; no harm has occurred.
Question:
What is the ruling on deliberately breaking the fast before time?
Answer:
Deliberately breaking the fast before the prescribed time is a sin. A warning has been given against it.
Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Bahili رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
بينا أنا نائم إذ أتاني رجلان فأخذا بضبعي وأتيا بي جبلا فقالا لي اصعد فقلت إني لا أطيقه فقالا إنا سنسهله لك قال فصعدت حتى إذا كنت في سواء الجبل إذا أنا بأصوات شديدة فقلت ما هذه الأصوات قال هذا عواء أهل النار ثم انطلق بي فإذا بقوم معلقين بعراقيبهم منشقة أشداقهم تسيل أشداقهم دما قال قلت من هؤلاء قال هم الذين يفطرون قبل تحلة صومهم
"Once I was sleeping when two angels came to me in a dream. They grabbed me by my arms and brought me near a mountain. They said to me: Climb it. I said: I will not be able to climb. They said: We will make it easy for you, just try to climb. So I climbed the mountain until I reached its peak, where I heard loud cries. I asked: What are these sounds? The angel said: These are the screams of people suffering the punishment of the fire. Then the angel took me further and I saw some people hanging upside down, their jaws torn apart from which blood was continuously flowing. I asked: Who are these people? The angel said: These are the people who used to break their fast before its time."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani: 8/155, Ithbat 'Adhab al-Qabr by al-Bayhaqi: 98, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith has been declared authentic by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (1986), Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (7491). Imam Hakim رحمه الله said it is authentic on the condition of Imam Muslim رحمه الله, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with this.
Question:
When does the time for Iftar begin?
Answer:
When the sun sets, the time of Maghrib begins, and this is the time for Iftar. The Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah have consensus on this.
The Rafidah say that the time for Iftar begins after the sun has set when the stars start to appear. This is an unfounded position, and in fact, many texts are contrary to it.
❀ Hafiz Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (795 AH)
, states under a hadith:هذا الحديث والذي قبله يدلان على أن مجرد غيبوبة القرص يدخل به وقت صلاة المغرب كما يفطر الصائم بذلك وهذا إجماع من أهل العلم حكاه ابن المنذر وغيره والظاهر أنه قول طائفة من أهل البدع كالروافض ونحوهم ولم يقل أحد من العلماء المعتد بهم
“This and the previous hadith are evidence that the time of Maghrib begins when the sun’s disk disappears, and at that time the fasting person may break the fast. There is consensus among the scholars on this, which Imam Ibn Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him, and others have transmitted. (Waiting for the stars to appear after sunset) is the belief of a group of innovators, the Rafidah, etc., and no trustworthy scholar has adopted this position.”
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 4/352-353)
Question:
Is it Sunnah and recommended to break the fast immediately after sunset?
Answer:
Breaking the fast early is the practice of the Prophets and the motto of Ahl al-Sunnah. Mutawatir hadiths and the consensus of the Ummah indicate this, and in it lies the well-being of the Ummah.
❀ Allah Almighty says:
ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ
"Complete the fast until the night."
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 187)
The consensus of the entire Ummah is that the meaning of this verse is that as soon as the sun sets, the fast should be broken. Authentic hadiths confirm this.
❀ Bashir bin Khasasiyah (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
صوموا كما أمركم الله وأتموا الصيام إلى الليل فإذا كان الليل فأفطروا
"Fast as Allah has commanded and complete the fast until night; as soon as night enters, break your fast."
Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad: 5/225, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Sayyiduna Umar (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
إذا أقبل الليل من ها هنا وأدبر النهار من ها هنا وغربت الشمس فقد أفطر الصائم
"When night appears from this (west) side, the day ends from that (east) side, and the sun sets, it is time for the fasting person to break the fast."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1954, Sahih Muslim: 1100)
Sayyiduna Sahl bin Sa'd (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر
"People will remain in goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1957, Sahih Muslim: 1098)
Explanation of the Hadith:
❀ Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (311 AH)
, established a chapter on the hadith with these words:باب ذكر دوام الناس على الخير ما عجلوا الفطر وفيه كالدلالة على أنهم إذا أخروا الفطر وقعوا في الشر
"This statement indicates that people will remain on good as long as they hasten to break their fast; its opposite meaning is that if they delay breaking their fast, they will fall into evil."
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah before the hadith: 2059)
❀ Qadi Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (544 AH)
, says:ظاهره أنه عليه السلام أشار أن فساد الأمور يتعلق بتغير هذه السنة التي هي تعجيل الفطر وأن تأخيره ومخالفة السنة في ذلك كالعلم على فساد الأمور
"The apparent meaning of this hadith is that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, indicated that the cause of ruin in worldly and hereafter matters is changing the Sunnah of hastening to break the fast. Also, delaying iftar and opposing the Sunnah in this regard is equivalent to knowingly ruining matters (religious and worldly)."
Reference: (Ikmal al-Muallim bi Sharh Sahih Muslim: 4/34)
❀ Allama Turbishti, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (661 AH)
, says:"Fasting by hastening to break the fast opposes the Jews and Christians, who used to break their fast at the rising of the stars. This has become a slogan among the people of innovation in our Ummah; it is their sign, although the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was not pleased with this practice."
Reference: (Al-Muyassar fi Sharh Masabih al-Sunnah: 2/463, Al-Mirqah lil-Mulla Ali: 4/1381)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Daqiq al-Eid, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (702 AH)
, says:تعجيل الفطر بعد تيقن الغروب مستحب باتفاق ودليله هذا الحديث وفيه دليل على المتشيعة الذين يؤخرون إلى ظهور النجم ولعل هذا هو السبب في كون الناس لا يزالون بخير ما عجلوا الفطر لأنهم إذا أخروه كانوا داخلين في فعل خلاف السنة ولا يزالون بخير ما فعلوا السنة
"Breaking the fast immediately after the certainty of sunset is unanimously recommended; the evidence is this hadith. Also, it refutes the Shia who delay iftar and keep waiting for the stars to appear. Perhaps the reason people remain on good is hastening to break the fast, because if they delay breaking the fast, they commit an act contrary to the Sunnah, and they will remain on good as long as they follow the Sunnah."
Reference: (Ihkam al-Ahkam Sharh Umdat al-Ahkam: 2/26)
❀ Allama Ibn al-Attar, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (724 AH)
, says:في الحديث دليل على استحباب تعجيل الفطر بعد تحقق غروب الشمس وقد اتفق العلماء عليه وفيه الرد على المتشيعة الذين يؤخرون الفطر إلى ظهور النجم ولعل المراد بالحديث الرد عليهم وفيه الحث على اتباع السنة وترك مخالفتها وأن فساد الأمر بتركها والله أعلم
"This hadith is evidence that when the sunset is certain, it is recommended to break the fast immediately after it. There is consensus among the scholars on this. Also, the hadith refutes the Shia who delay iftar until the stars appear; it is possible that the hadith intends to refute them. Similarly, the hadith encourages following the Sunnah and abandoning opposition to it, and it is evidence that the corruption of religion lies in abandoning the Sunnah. And Allah knows best."
Reference: (Al-Uddah fi Sharh al-Umdat: 2/883)
❀ Allama Zaili Hanafi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (743 AH)
, says:فيه دليل على الرد على الشيعة الذين يؤخرون الفطر إلى ظهور النجم لأنهم إذا أخروه كان على خلاف السنة
"This hadith refutes the Shia who delay iftar until the stars appear, because this delay is a deviation from the Sunnah."
Reference: (Tabyin al-Haqa'iq Sharh Kanz al-Daqa'iq: 1/343)
❀ Allama Ibn Malqan, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (804 AH)
, says:التعجيل رد على الشيعة الذين يؤخرون إلى ظهور النجوم
"Fasting by hastening to break the fast refutes the Shia who delay iftar until the stars appear."
Reference: (Al-Tawdih li Sharh al-Jami' al-Sahih: 13/400)
❀ Allama Muhammad Tahir Fitni Hanafi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (986 AH)
, says:فيه رد على المتشيعة الذين يؤخرون إلى ظهور النجوم
"This hadith refutes the Shia who delay iftar until the stars appear."
Reference: (Majma' Bihar al-Anwar: 5/530)
❀ The great Tabi'i Abu Atiyah Wadi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
دخلت أنا ومسروق على عائشة فقلنا يا أم المؤمنين رجلان من أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم أحدهما يعجل الإفطار ويعجل الصلاة والآخر يؤخر الإفطار ويؤخر الصلاة قالت أيهما الذي يعجل الإفطار ويعجل الصلاة قال قلنا عبد الله يعني ابن مسعود قالت كذلك كان يصنع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
"Musruq, may Allah have mercy on him, and I went to Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. We said: O Mother of the Believers! There are two companions; one hastens to break the fast and also prays early, while the other delays breaking the fast a little and also delays the prayer. Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, asked: Who are those who hasten in breaking the fast and prayer? We said: Our master Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him. She said: The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to do the same."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1099)
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
لا يزال الدين ظاهرا ما عجل الناس الفطر لأن اليهود والنصارى يؤخرون
"The religion will remain dominant as long as people hasten to break their fast, because the Jews and Christians delay breaking their fast."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2353, Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil-Nasa'i: 3313, Sunan Ibn Majah: 1698, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith was declared authentic by Imam Ibn Khuzaymah, may Allah have mercy on him (2060), Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him (3503), and Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him (1/431), said it is authentic according to Muslim's conditions. Hafiz Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him (Al-Majmu': 6/404), said its chain is authentic.
❀ Hafiz Busiri, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
هذا إسناده صحيح ورجاله ثقات
"This chain is authentic and all its narrators are trustworthy."
Reference: (Misbah al-Zujajah: 2/71)
❀ Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قط صلى صلاة المغرب حتى يفطر ولو على شربة من ماء
"I never saw the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, lead the Maghrib prayer without breaking the fast, even if he broke it with a sip of water."
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban: 3504, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إنا معشر الأنبياء أمرنا أن نؤخر سحورنا ونعجل فطرنا وأن نمسك بأيماننا على شمائلنا في صلاتنا
"We prophets were commanded to delay the pre-dawn meal (suhur) and hasten the breaking of the fast (iftar), and also (commanded) to tie the right hand over the left hand in prayer."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani: 11/199, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him (1770), declared this hadith authentic.
❀ Hafiz Suyuti, may Allah have mercy on him, said its chain is authentic.
Reference: (Tanwir al-Hawalik: 1/133)
❀ Regarding all these hadiths, Hafiz Ibn Abd al-Barr, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (463 AH)
, says:هي متواترة صحاح
"These hadiths are mutawatir and authentic."
Reference: (Al-Istidhkar: 3/345)
❀ Allama Ibn Rushd al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (595 AH)
, writes:أجمعوا على أن من سنن الصوم تأخير السحور وتعجيل الفطر
"There is consensus and agreement among the jurists that delaying suhur and hastening iftar are among the Sunnah of fasting."
Reference: (Bidayat al-Mujtahid wa Nihayat al-Muqtasid: 1/404)
❀ Allama Ibn al-Athir, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (606 AH)
, says:تعجيل الإفطار سنة متفق عليها
"Hastening to break the fast is unanimously Sunnah."
Reference: (Al-Shafi'i fi Sharh Musnad al-Shafi'i: 3/198)
❀ Imam Abu Jamrah Duba'i, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
إنه كان يفطر مع ابن عباس في رمضان فكان إذا أمسى بعث ربيبا له يصعد ظهر الدار فلما غربت الشمس أذن فيأكل ونأكل فإذا فرغ أقيمت الصلاة فيقوم يصلي ونصلي معه
"You, may Allah have mercy on you (scholar of Ahl al-Bayt), used to break the fast in Ramadan with Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with both of them. When evening came, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, would send his stepson to climb the roof of the house. As soon as the sun set, he would inform, and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, would start eating. We would also start eating. When we finished eating, the iqamah would be called, and you, may Allah be pleased with you, would stand and lead the prayer, and we would pray with you."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/12, and its chain is authentic)
Tragedy:
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (852 AH)
, says:صاروا لا يؤذنون إلا بعد الغروب بدرجة لتمكين الوقت زعموا فأخروا الفطر وعجلوا السحور وخالفوا السنة فلذلك قل عنهم الخير وكثر فيهم الشر والله المستعان
"Now people's condition has become such that they give the Adhan after the time of sunset, thinking that the time should fully enter, they delay Iftar and hasten Suhoor, determined to oppose the Sunnah, and therefore there is less good and more evil among them. The rest, Allah is the Helper."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari: 4/199)
❀ Allama Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (795 AH)
, says:إنه قول طائفة من أهل البدع كالروافض ونحوهم ولم يقل أحد من العلماء المعتد بهم
"Delaying Iftar is the practice of the innovators, Rafidah, etc., and none of the reliable scholars accept it."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari Ibn Rajab: 4/353)
Warning:
❀ It is narrated from Hameed bin Abdul Rahman Madani, may Allah have mercy on him:
إن عمر بن الخطاب وعثمان بن عفان كانا يصليان المغرب حين ينظران إلى الليل الأسود قبل أن يفطرا ثم يفطران بعد الصلاة وذلك في رمضان
"When Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, and Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, saw that night was approaching, they would perform the Maghrib prayer before breaking their fast, and then after Maghrib prayer, they would break their fast. This was their routine in Ramadan."
Reference: (Muwatta Imam Malik: 1/289)
The chain is weak. Hameed bin Abdul Rahman does not have a direct hearing (sama') from Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab or Sayyiduna Uthman.
❀ Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
الصحيح أنه لم يدركه
"The correct view is that Hameed did not live in the time of Sayyiduna Umar, may Allah be pleased with him."
Reference: (Tarikh al-Islam: 2/1085)
Hameed also does not have direct hearing from Sayyiduna Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him. There is evidence for this.
➊ Hameed has narrated only one or two reports from Sayyiduna Uthman without intermediaries, which are probable but not confirmed, while all other narrations are through one narrator as an intermediary.
➋ Imam Abu Zur'ah, may Allah have mercy on him, says:
"Hameed's narration from Sayyiduna Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, is mursal (disconnected)."
Reference: (Al-Marasil by Ibn Abi Hatim, p. 49)
If there is no hearing from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, then certainly there is none from Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him.
➌ The majority of hadith scholars have mentioned Hameed's year of death as 105 AH, based on which it can be said that Hameed did not have hearing from Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him.
In Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd (5/117) and Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi (1/155), Hameed bin Abdul Rahman has said رأيت عمر وعثمان.
This narration is weak due to the 'an'anah' (continuous chain) of Zuhri. Where Zuhri has specified hearing, these words are not present. Or these words are a mistake of a narrator.
Warning:
Ibn Abi Shaybah says: حدثنا عبدالأعلى عن معمر عن الزهري عن حميد بن عبد الرحمن أن عمر وعثمان كانا يصليان المغرب إذا رأيا الليل كانا يفطران قبل أن يصليا۔
"Our master Umar and our master Uthman, may Allah be pleased with them, used to pray Maghrib as soon as night appeared and they used to break their fast before praying."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/105)
Question:
What is the supplication for breaking the fast?
Answer:
Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to say this supplication at the time of breaking the fast: dua
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
"Thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward, if Allah wills, will remain."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2357, Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah by An-Nasa'i: 299, and its chain is Hasan)
❀ Imam Darqutni, may Allah have mercy on him, graded the chain of this hadith as Hasan.
Reference: (Sunan ad-Darqutni: 2/182)
Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him (1/422), declared this hadith authentic according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, agreed with him.
Question:
What is the authenticity status of the following narration?
❀ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ثلاثة ليس عليهم حساب فيما طعموا إذا كان حلالا الصائم والمتسحر والمرابط في سبيل الله
"Three types of people who eat halal food will not be held accountable for their eating: the fasting person (who breaks the fast), the one who eats suhoor, and the one who guards in the way of Allah."
Reference: (Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 12012)
Answer:
The narration is fabricated.
➊ Abu Sabah Abdul Ghafoor Al-Wasti is a "fabricator."
➋ Abdullah bin Asmah is "unknown."
Warning:
Narrations with this meaning are also reported from other Companions, all of which are weak and false.
Question:
How is it to delay the Maghrib prayer congregation by a few minutes in Ramadan?
Answer:
In Ramadan, people need to break their fast, so if the Maghrib prayer congregation is started five to ten minutes late, there is no harm. It is better so that everyone can easily participate in the congregation.
Question:
When should the supplication for breaking the fast be recited?
Answer:
Say Bismillah and then break the fast; after breaking the fast, recite the supplication.
Question:
How is the authenticity of the supplication for breaking the fast اللهم لك صمت in terms of its chain of narration?
Answer:
This supplication is found in Sunan Abi Dawood (2358), and it is weak due to being a mursal narration. Mu'adh bin Zuhrah is a Tabi'i, narrating directly from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Question:
Is the reward greater for breaking the fast at someone else's place?
Answer:
Some think that breaking the fast with others' food brings more reward for the fast, but this is not proven by any Islamic evidence.
Question:
If someone dies while fasting and has not broken the fast, should their funeral prayer be performed or not?
Answer:
It should be performed.
Question:
If someone breaks their fast thinking the sun has set but then sees the sun again, what is the ruling?
Answer:
They should complete the fast; their fast is valid and no qada (make-up) is required. This is equivalent to eating and drinking by mistake.
Question:
What is better to break the fast with?
Answer:
It is preferable to break the fast with dates, as established by some narrations. Medical experts also recommend this.
Question:
How is breaking the fast with the food of a prostitute or a Hindu?
Answer:
It is permissible.
Question:
If a person breaks their fast with a hookah, does the fast break or not?
Answer:
Undoubtedly, smoking hookah is forbidden and impermissible, but breaking the fast with it will still count as breaking the fast.
Question:
Three people arrange iftar for a person, but the one who arranges the iftar only eats the food of one person. Will all three receive reward?
Answer:
Yes, all three will receive reward.
Question:
How is the chain of narration of the following hadith?
❀ Sayyiduna Sa’d bin ‘Ubada (may Allah be pleased with him) presented food to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) ate, and when he intended to leave, he said:
أكل طعامكم الأبرار وأفطر عندكم الصائمون وصلت عليكم الملائكة
“May righteous people eat your food, may those who fast break their fast with you, and may the angels pray for mercy upon you.”
Reference: (Sharh Mushkil al-Athar by Al-Tahawi: 1577, Musnad al-Bazzar (Kashf al-Istar: 2007), Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 7/287)
Answer:
Its chain of narration is Hasan (good).
