مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Eleven:
From the Encouraged Etiquettes of Fasting
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen
My brothers: This is the second half of the etiquettes of fasting, and it is the etiquettes which are encouraged.
Having The Suhoor
From them is having the suhoor (eating in the last part of the night before Fajr). The Prophet (SAW) ordered this by saying, “Participate in the suhoor for indeed there is blessing in it.” (Agreed upon) He (SAW) also said, “The difference between our fast and that of the People of the Book is the eating of suhoor.” (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) also recommended dates for suhoor by saying, “The best of suhoor for a believer are dates.” (Abu Dawood) The Prophet (SAW) also said, “All of suhoor is blessing, so do not leave it, even if one of just has water to drink, for indeed Allah and his Angels send their blessings on the people that eat suhoor.” (Ahmed with a strong chain)
The person making suhoor should make their intention to imitate the Prophet (SAW) so that it will become an act of worship, and they should also make their intention of eating suhoor that it will give them the power to fast for the day, so that they will be rewarded. Zayd ibn Thabit reported: “We ate suhoor with the Messenger of Allah and then got up for the prayer.” Someone asked: “What was the amount of time between the two?” He replied: “(The time it takes to recite] 50 verses.” (Bukhari) ‘Aisha (RA) relates that Billal used to make the Athan at night, so the Prophet (SAW) said, “Eat and drink until Ibn Um Maktum makes the athan for indeed he makes it once Fajr time has arrived.” (Bukhari) Delaying the fast makes fasting easier as well as it’s a protection from oversleeping Fajr. As Allah says, “and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread.”
Hastening To Break The Fast
It is also recommended to break the fast as soon as Maghrib time enters. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The people will continue to be in good condition as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Agreed upon) The sunnah is to break the fast with fresh dates. Anas (RA) said, “The prophet (SAW) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhee) Once they break their fast they should make supplication for whatever they wish. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed for the fasting person once they break their fast is a du’aa that is not rejected.” (Sunnan Abi Majah)
Doing A Variety Of Good Deeds
From the actions that are recommended are increasing in reciting Qur’an, dhikr, duah, prayer, and charity. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The supplications of three persons are not rejected: the supplication of a fasting person at the time of breaking fast, of a just ruler, and of a person who is wronged. Allah causes their supplications to rise above the clouds, and gates of heaven are opened for them, and Allah says, ‘By My Majesty, I will help you, even it be after a while’.” (Ibn Hibban, Ahmed, Tirmidhee) Ibn Abbas describes that the Prophet (SAW) was the most generous of people, even more so in Ramadhan. The Prophet (SAW)) said, “Who from amongst you is fasting today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I am.” He (the Prophet (SAW)) said, “Who from amongst you has fed a miskeen (needy person) today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” He said, “Who from amongst you has followed a janazah (followed behind a funeral proceeding or gone to witness process of burial) today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” He said, “Who from amongst you has visited a sick person?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” Then the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “These traits (or characteristics) are never collectively found in a person except that he will enter Paradise.” (Muslim)
Praising Allaah
The fasting person should also thank Allah for blessing them to be able to see this month. Many people could not reap the benefits of this month because they passed away before it came, or they are not performing the obligations of this month. So they should thank Allah for giving them the chance to receive forgiveness, and uplifting in status.
My brothers: You should act upon the etiquettes and manners of this month. And follow the way of the salaf. For indeed the latter part of this Ummah will not become righteous unless it acts upon what the former part of this Ummah did from obedience and leaving of the sins.
Month Of The Quran 