6 Best ways to break your Fast in Ramadan
6 min read
When the moment for breaking the fast approaches, it is one of the greatest joys for a faster. If you’re wondering how to get the most out of breaking the fast, here’s an attempt to emphasise some of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ guidelines
We normally look forward to breaking our fast when the call to prayer or the Maghrib azan (call to prayer) begins after roughly 14 hours of fasting without food or drink, including the extra efforts we put in attempting to be better. Rasulullah s.a.w. recognised this sensation of joy, along with other benefits, in his fasting guide:
According to the Prophet ﷺ
“Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said: Except for fasting, every act of the son of Adam is for himself. It’s (exclusively) for Me, and I’ll be the one to reward it. Fasting is a protective shield. When any of you is fasting on a certain day, you should not use foul language or raise your voice; instead, if somebody mocks you or attempts to argue with you, you should say, “I am fasting.”
The breath of a fasting individual is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than the fragrance of musk, according to Him (Allah), in Whose Hand Muhammad’s life is. When a person fasts, he has two (occasions) of joy: the first is when he breaks the fast, and he is delighted about it; the second is when he sees his Lord, and he is glad about his fast.”
Here are six suggestions for what to eat and sunnah activities to perform to reap the benefits of breaking the fast:
- Break your fast as soon as possible.
After Maghrib adhan, have iftar right away.
Breaking your fast soon after the Maghrib azan is, in fact, part of the sunnah. According to Rasulullah ﷺ
,لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ
“As long as people hurry to break their fast, they will flourish in virtue.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari)
It is preferable to have something to break our fast before conducting the Maghrib prayer, even if we are in a hurry for some reason. We have completed our fasting commitment from sunrise to dusk. As a result, it is now our obligation to feed our bodies with the nutrients they require and to replenish their energy. For us to be able to offer high-quality worship on the auspicious nights of Ramadan, we will need our physical bodies and minds to be at their best.
- Watch what you eat when you’re breaking the fast.
The desire to eat all of the wonderful and tempting food on the table without thinking about it can be strong. But hang in there! Our religious experts have a lot of debates on what we should eat first when we break our fast.
Instead of starting with such delicious meats and delectable feasts, it is always better to start slowly by eating dates or drinking simple water, as instructed by Rasulullah ﷺ
مَنْ وَجَدَ تَمْرًا فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ لاَ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ فَإِنَّ الْمَاءَ طَهُورٌ
“Let anyone has dried dates break the fast with them, and whoever does not, let him break the fast with water, for water is purifying.”
Sunan At-Tirmizi
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُفْطِرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى رُطَبَاتٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ رُطَبَاتٌ فَتُمَيْرَاتٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تُمَيْرَاتٌ حَسَا حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ
“Before performing Solat, the Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates.” If no fresh dates were available, he would break the fast with dried dates, and if no dried dates were available, he would drink a few sips of water.”
Sunan At-Tirmizi
Next, keep track of what you eat so you don’t overindulge. Some of us may wish to eat as much as possible after going without food for more than half a day. We were reminded by Rasulullah s.a.w. to eat in moderation. Some people may find it difficult. However, this could be a wonderful year to begin eating healthy and avoiding overindulgence.
According to the Prophet s.a.w.,
“No one can fill a vessel worse than his stomach.” To maintain his spine straight, he only needs to eat a few mouthfuls. But if he has to (fill it), a third of food, a third of drink, and a third of air.”
Sunan Ibn Majah
When breaking the fast, keep track of the portion size, serving size, and calorie count of the food and beverages you consume. Learn the fundamentals of food nutrition. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy foods and beverages that are heavy in sugar or carbs. Always strive for a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Read Top 7 ways to prepare for Ramadan
- Practice dining etiquette as recommended by the Prophet s.a.w.
During Ramadan, recite Bismillah during iftar.
This involves chanting the basmalah (Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem) before eating, eating with your right hand, starting with the meal nearest to you, and not eating too quickly, which can lead to a variety of health issues. According to Rasulullah s.a.w.,
يَا غُلاَمُ سَمِّ اللَّهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ وَكُلْ مِمَّا يَلِيكَ
“Oh, my child!” Mention Allah’s name, eat with your right hand, and consume what is closest to you.”
(Muslim & Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Once upon a time, Anas bin Malik r.a. said:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا شَرِبَ تَنَفَّسَ ثَلاَثًا وَقَالَ: هُوَ أَهْنَأُ وَأَمْرَأُ وَأَبْرَأُ
When the Prophet s.a.w. drank, he would take three deep breaths and declare, “It is more healthful, thirst-quenching, and healthier.”
Sunan Abi Daud (Sunan Abi Daud)
- When breaking the fast, make earnest duas.
The time for breaking the fast is one of the ideal times to make dua. Rasulullah s.a.w. mentioned the following:
“Three supplications are not rejected: a fasting person breaking his fast, a just leader, and an oppressed person’s supplication; Allah lifts it above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it.” ‘By My might, I shall surely aid you, even though it be after a while,’ says the Lord.
Sunan At-Timizi (Sunan At-Timizi)
The Prophet s.a.w. said in another hadith:
إِنَّ لِلصَّائِمِ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ لَدَعْوَةً مَا تُرَدُّ
“The fasting person’s request is not turned back when he breaks his fast.”
Sunan Ibn Majah (Sunan Ibn Majah)
As a result, make a dua for yourself and your family. You may ask Allah s.w.t. for anything you desire. Be hopeful that Allah s.w.t. would accept your patience and perseverance while fasting for the entire day.
Remember to pray for our departed loved ones as well as our own fate in the hereafter, as the Prophet s.a.w. said:
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ فِطْرٍ عُتَقَاءَ وَذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ
“At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He releases (from the Fire), and this occurs every night.”
Sunan Ibn Majah (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Then, just before you begin eating, recite this dua:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْتُ
“Oh Allah, I’ve fasted for You and broken my fast on Your supplies.”
Sunan Abi Daud (Sunan Abi Daud)
After that, you might continue to repeat the following prayer:
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
“If Allah wills, the thirst has passed, the veins have been watered, and the prize has been earned.”
Sunan Abi Daud (Sunan Abi Daud)
- Make food available for others to eat.
Don’t lose out on the opportunity to earn everyone else’s prizes by bringing a tasty dinner to break the fast with!
مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا
“Whoever offers food for a fasting person to break his fast with receives the same reward as the fasting person, without the fasting person’s prize being reduced in any way.”
(Sunan At-Tirmizi)
- Share the joy of fasting and Ramadan with others.
Let us all join together to celebrate Ramadan with our neighbours and friends. Allow this to be an opportunity for us to learn more about one another. With excellent deeds, spread love, kindness, blessings, and joy!
Although we are not permitted to hold parties due to the COVID-19 epidemic, we can send meals to our loved ones via contactless delivery services. You could also throw a virtual breakfast party so that you can all eat together while on the phone!
During Ramadan, eat iftar with your family and friends.
