Being Quick in Breaking One’s Fast

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Commentary:

Another narration includes the additional phrase, “… because the Jews and Christians delay it.” [Classed as Hasan by Sh al-Albaani in Sahih Abi Dawood, 2353]

Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

This Hadith urges us to hasten to break the fast as soon as it is established that the sun has set. What this means is that the ummah will continue to be in a sound state and they will be fine so long as they continue to adhere to this Sunnah. If they delay it that will be a sign that corruption has arisen among them.

The scholars (may Allah have mercy upon them) have said that it is mustahabb (recommended) to hasten to break the fast and to delay suhoor (pre-dawn meal).

The scholars (may Allah have mercy upon them) have also mentioned a number of reasons why it is recommended to hasten to break the fast, including the following:

1. To be different from the Jews and Christians

2. To follow the Sunnah

3. So as not to make the day longer and take from the night

4. It is kinder to the fasting person and gives him more strength for worship

5. To hasten to eat that which Allah has permitted to him, for Allah is generous and the one who is generous likes to see people enjoying his generosity. So He likes His slaves to hasten to enjoy that which Allah has permitted to them as soon as the sun sets.

The scholars (may Allah have mercy upon them) have also said that the time for breaking one’s fast is when it is established that the sun has set, by seeing it with one’s own eyes or by being informed of it by a just and reliable person.

And Allah knows best!