When Should the Fast Be Broken?

Authored by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (May Allah preserve him)

Question:​

Should the fast be broken promptly at sunset or delayed? What do the Quran and Hadith say about this?

Answer:​

The Quran and Hadith emphasize breaking the fast promptly at sunset and discourage any unnecessary delay.

Evidence from the Quran:​

Allah commands:
"Complete the fast until the night."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)

The term "night" (ليل) begins at sunset, signifying that the fast should be broken as soon as the sun sets.

Linguistic Explanation:​

• Al-Fayruzabadi:
  "The night begins with the sunset and lasts until dawn or sunrise."
  (Al-Qamus Al-Muhit, p. 1364)
• Ibn Manzur:
  "The night begins at sunset."
  (Lisan Al-Arab, 12/378)

These explanations from classical Arabic lexicons confirm that the beginning of the night corresponds with sunset.

Hadith Evidence:​

1. Prompt Breaking of the Fast:
   The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
   "The religion will remain dominant as long as people hasten to break their fast, for the Jews and Christians delay it."
   (Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Hadith 2353; Ibn Majah, Hadith 1698)
2. Encouragement to Break the Fast Quickly:
   Sahl ibn Sa’d (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
   "The people will continue to be upon goodness as long as they hasten in breaking their fast."
   (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Hadith 1957; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1098)
3. Exact Timing of Breaking the Fast:
   Umar (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
   "When the night comes from this side, and the day departs from that side, and the sun sets, the fasting person should break their fast."
   (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Hadith 1954; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1100)
4. Avoiding Delay:
   The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:
   "My Ummah will remain upon my Sunnah as long as they do not delay breaking the fast until the stars appear."
   (Mawarid Al-Zam’an, Hadith 891)

Refuting Delay in Breaking the Fast:​

Delaying the breaking of the fast resembles the practice of Jews and Christians, who delay their iftar. Additionally, modern practices such as waiting for sirens or announcements before breaking the fast are unnecessary and contrary to the Sunnah.

Conclusion:​

The time for breaking the fast is at sunset. As soon as the sun sets, the fasting person should break their fast promptly without delay, adhering to the Sunnah and maintaining the distinct practices of Islam.

Allah knows best!