❖ Hastening to Break the Fast and Delaying Suhoor is Recommended ❖
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
Islam encourages believers to hasten in breaking the fast (Iftār) and delay the pre-dawn meal (Suḥūr), as long as it remains within the allowed time. These practices are not only recommended (mustaḥabb) but also carry signs of obedience, religious strength, and distinction from non-Muslims.
From Sahl bin Saʿd رضي الله عنه:
"People will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast."
➤ [Bukhārī: 1957 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Taʿjīl al-Iftār; Muslim: 1098; Tirmidhī: 699; Ibn Mājah: 1697; Aḥmad: 5/337; Ibn Khuzaymah: 2059; Ibn Ḥibbān: 3502; Bayhaqī: 4/237]
From Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
"The religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, for the Jews and Christians delay it."
➤ [Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2063 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Mā Yustaḥabb min Taʿjīl al-Iftār; Abū Dāwūd: 2353; Ibn Mājah: 1698; Aḥmad: 2/4500]
✔ This narration highlights a clear religious identity by differing from the ways of Ahl al-Kitāb (Jews and Christians).
It is reported:
"Between the Prophet’s ﷺ Suḥūr and Fajr prayer, there was a time span in which one could recite approximately fifty verses."
➤ [Bukhārī: 1921 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Qadru Kam Bayn al-Suḥūr wa Ṣalāt al-Fajr; Muslim: 1097]
✔ This indicates a short interval between the end of Suhoor and the beginning of Fajr, encouraging one to eat Suhoor close to its ending time.
From ʿAmr ibn Maymūn al-Awdī رحمه الله:
"The Companions of Muhammad ﷺ used to be the quickest in breaking the fast and the latest in eating Suhoor."
➤ [Ṣaḥīḥ: ʿAbd al-Razzāq: 7591 – authenticated by Ibn Ḥajar in Fatḥ al-Bārī: 4/713]
✔ Their practice reflects strict adherence to the Sunnah and highlights the importance of both acts.
The narration:
"My Ummah will remain upon goodness as long as they delay Suhoor and hasten Iftār."
– contains the narrator Sulaymān ibn Abī ʿUthmān, whom Imām Abū Ḥātim declared majhūl (unknown).
➤ [Nayl al-Awṭār: 3/196; al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah: 1/545; Aḥmad: 5/147]
✔ While the wording is beautiful and in line with authentic meanings, it cannot be used independently for rulings due to the weakness in its chain.
☀ Hastening in breaking the fast (immediately after sunset) and
Delaying Suhoor until the last part of the night are both recommended practices in Islam, supported by authentic Prophetic traditions and the practice of the Companions.
✔ They reflect obedience to the Sunnah, contribute to the strength of faith, and maintain the identity of the Muslim Ummah.
Written by: Imran Ayub Lahori
❀ Introduction
Islam encourages believers to hasten in breaking the fast (Iftār) and delay the pre-dawn meal (Suḥūr), as long as it remains within the allowed time. These practices are not only recommended (mustaḥabb) but also carry signs of obedience, religious strength, and distinction from non-Muslims.
➊ Hastening in Breaking the Fast Brings Blessings
From Sahl bin Saʿd رضي الله عنه:
"People will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast."
➤ [Bukhārī: 1957 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Taʿjīl al-Iftār; Muslim: 1098; Tirmidhī: 699; Ibn Mājah: 1697; Aḥmad: 5/337; Ibn Khuzaymah: 2059; Ibn Ḥibbān: 3502; Bayhaqī: 4/237]
➋ Breaking the Fast Early is a Sign of Religious Dominance
From Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
"The religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, for the Jews and Christians delay it."
➤ [Ḥasan: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2063 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Mā Yustaḥabb min Taʿjīl al-Iftār; Abū Dāwūd: 2353; Ibn Mājah: 1698; Aḥmad: 2/4500]
✔ This narration highlights a clear religious identity by differing from the ways of Ahl al-Kitāb (Jews and Christians).
➌ The Time Between Suhoor and Fajr Salah
It is reported:
"Between the Prophet’s ﷺ Suḥūr and Fajr prayer, there was a time span in which one could recite approximately fifty verses."
➤ [Bukhārī: 1921 – Kitāb al-Ṣawm: Bāb Qadru Kam Bayn al-Suḥūr wa Ṣalāt al-Fajr; Muslim: 1097]
✔ This indicates a short interval between the end of Suhoor and the beginning of Fajr, encouraging one to eat Suhoor close to its ending time.
➍ Practice of the Companions
From ʿAmr ibn Maymūn al-Awdī رحمه الله:
"The Companions of Muhammad ﷺ used to be the quickest in breaking the fast and the latest in eating Suhoor."
➤ [Ṣaḥīḥ: ʿAbd al-Razzāq: 7591 – authenticated by Ibn Ḥajar in Fatḥ al-Bārī: 4/713]
✔ Their practice reflects strict adherence to the Sunnah and highlights the importance of both acts.
✦ A Note on a Weak Narration
The narration:
"My Ummah will remain upon goodness as long as they delay Suhoor and hasten Iftār."
– contains the narrator Sulaymān ibn Abī ʿUthmān, whom Imām Abū Ḥātim declared majhūl (unknown).
➤ [Nayl al-Awṭār: 3/196; al-Rawḍah al-Nadiyyah: 1/545; Aḥmad: 5/147]
✔ While the wording is beautiful and in line with authentic meanings, it cannot be used independently for rulings due to the weakness in its chain.
Conclusion
☀ Hastening in breaking the fast (immediately after sunset) and
Delaying Suhoor until the last part of the night are both recommended practices in Islam, supported by authentic Prophetic traditions and the practice of the Companions.✔ They reflect obedience to the Sunnah, contribute to the strength of faith, and maintain the identity of the Muslim Ummah.
