Source: Urdu Sharh ‘Umdah al-Aḥkām, translated by Ḥāfiẓ Fayzullah Nāṣir
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
"People will continue to remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break their fast."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1957 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1098]
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:
"When the night approaches from this side and the day recedes from that side, then the fasting person should break his fast."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1954 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1100]
Ḥadīth No. 9: Narrated by Sahl ibn Saʿd al-Sāʿidī (رضي الله عنه)
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:"People will continue to remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break their fast."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1957 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1098]
Ḥadīth No. 10: Narrated by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه)
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:"When the night approaches from this side and the day recedes from that side, then the fasting person should break his fast."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1954 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1100]
Explanation of the Ḥadīths:
- Hastening to break the fast after sunset is a Sunnah and a sign of remaining on the path of goodness.
- Another narration from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) quotes Allāh saying:
"The dearest of My servants to Me is the one who hastens to break the fast."
[Musnad Aḥmad: 2/237, Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 700]
Important Note:
- Breaking the fast must be done only after confirming sunset.
- It is ḥarām (forbidden) to break the fast based on doubt or assumption.
[Irshād al-Sārī li’l-Qasṭallānī: 3/393]
When Is It Permissible to Break the Fast?
- The Prophet ﷺ said it clearly:
"When the night comes from the east and the day departs to the west, then the fasting person should break his fast."
- This marks the exact moment of sunset — when the sun disappears completely from the horizon.
Summary:
- Hastening to break the fast at sunset is Sunnah and highly encouraged.
- Do not delay unnecessarily or wait for stars to appear.
- Always verify the sunset through observation or accurate time to ensure validity.
