Outline
- Introduction
- The Prophet Urged for Iftār to be Taken Early
- The Prophet Urged for Dates to be Taken for Iftār, if Possible
- The Prophet Took His Iftār, at Two Stages
- The Prophet Wouldn’t Sleep Immediately After Iftār
- The Prophet Urged for Consistent Sahur
- The Prophet Urged for Sahur to be Delayed, as Possible
- Let’s Seek Perfection in Our Ramaḍān
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alhamdulillāh; all praise is due to Allāh. All thanks are for Allah, Who commands us to do good, and forbids us from doing wrong. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the best of mankind; Habibi Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path, till the Day of Judgment.
This article aims to present some etiquettes, which despite been fine (easily neglected), the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, found it import and hence emphasized about them to his beloved Ummah. Therefore, it attains importance, by default, if we choose to talk, share, discuss and live the spirit of Ramaḍān the Prophet's way.
It's Ramaḍān! I assume that you are reading this, either a few days/weeks before Ramaḍān, or in the first few days of Ramaḍān. This article comes as part of the “The Ramaḍān Spirit Activated!” package. Some of the articles that come in the package are “6 Habits We Must Attain in Ramaḍān” (click here to read it), “A Few Secrets for a More Rewarding Ramaḍān” (click here to read it)” and “10 Habits We Must Avoid in Ramaḍān” (click here to read it).
This article aims to present some etiquettes, which despite been fine (easily neglected), the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, found it import to emphasize about them to his beloved Ummah. Therefore, it literally attains importance, if we choose to talk, share, discuss and live the spirit of Ramaḍān.
1. The Prophet Urged for Iftār to be Taken Early
Fasting is undoubtedly an act of worship (Ibadah). However, the body looks forward to be refilled with the sugar it needs, in order to refresh its energy, and with water to satisfy its needs of fluids. The Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, been the most caring about each one of us, more than we are to ourselves, he urged us, not to delay in providing our body its needs. To achieve that, he emphasized on his Ummah, to take our Iftaar, as earlier possible, once it’s time for Iftaar.
In a Hadeeth authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, said:
لا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الفِطْرَ
“People will remain to be in good, so long as they rush for their Iftaar”.
It sounds familiar? Isn’t it? Isn’t breakfast outside Ramaḍān, very essential for a healthier life? Similarly, in addition to the health benefits of breaking fast, as earlier as possible, it is also essential for a lively and productive night, especially, in preparing for Taraweeh.
2. The Prophet Urged for Us to Take Dates for Iftār, if Possible
Although dates can only be found in some specific regions (countries) of the world, the Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, urged us to take dates for our Iftaar. He said so, in a Hadeeth, reported by Abu Dawud and Tirmizhi:
إِذَا أَفْطَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى تَمْرٍ، فَإِنَّهُ بَرَكَةٌ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ تَمْراً فَالمَاءُ، فَإِنَّهُ طَهُورٌ
“Let one of you break his fast with dates, it’s a blessing. If he can’t find (afford) dates, let him take water, for it’s healthy.”
Dates consist of sugar, and it’s recommended that we take in sweet, after long hours of hunger and thirst. That also helps to better prepare our digestive system for big meals.
3. The Prophet Took His Iftār, at Two Stages
As much as we are urged to take our Iftaar earliest possible, when it’s time, we are also urged to ensure we perform our Maghrib prayers as early as possible. This is because, the time for Maghrib prayers doesn’t last for more than an hour, and it’s advisable to observe it the moment the Azan is said.
In addition to that, taking Iftaar in two stages has good impact on our health, generally. Having a short beverage (3 dates and a few sips of plain water) immediately when it’s time, and resuming with your meal after Maghrib prayers, ensure you don’t overeat, due to hunger, which your subconscious may be alarming you about.
Dates and water, which are taken before Maghrib, reduce the level of the hunger felt during the day. So, the tendency of overeating after Maghrib reduces. In other words, full meal taken immediately after breakfast misleads one, and causes him to eat more than his body needs. Overeating is one of the “10 Habits We Must Avoid in Ramaḍān.” (Click here to read it).
4. The Prophet Wouldn’t Sleep Immediately After Iftār
The tendency of falling sleepy, after Iftaar, is high, especially for those who are engaged in hard work and tiring/exhausting activities, during the daytime. But sleeping immediately after meals is not advisable, be it in Ramaḍān or outside Ramaḍān. Also, you are likely to miss your Taraweeh, if you sleep after Iftaar.
Remember that, the month of Ramaḍān is expected to be for performing Ibadah more than we do, in our normal times, outside Ramaḍān.
To avoid sleeping immediately after Iftaar, we need to cut down on the amount of food we take, after Iftaar. We may have to avoid oily foods, because it will lead to excess consumption of fluids, and that may cause more laziness, and avoidance from Taraweeh.
The bottom line is, don’t sleep immediately after Iftaar.
5. The Prophet Urged for Consistent Sahūr
The meal we take before dawn is called Sahūr, in Arabic. Although taking Sahūr is similar to taking breakfast in any ordinary day, which is essential for a healthy life, Sahūr has additional attributes. The Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, has said in a Hadeeth authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that:
تَسَحَّرُوا… فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً
“Take your Sahur, for there is a blessing in Sahūr.”
Taking Sahūr, likewise breakfast, grants the body the energy it requires to undertake responsibility of the day, effectively. It also prevents from headaches, migraine, and severe thirst.
It’s wise to take Sahūr, even if one is not used to it, or even if one’s personal references doesn’t encourage him to do that. Why? It is because; it’s a recommendation from the Prophet. It doesn’t matter how much you take. It matters that you take something, for Sahūr.
So, don’t undermine your Sahūr!
6. The Prophet Urged for Sahūr to be Delayed, as Possible
At the time that we are encouraged to be consistent in taking our Sahūr, we are also encouraged to delay it to the last minutes, of the time allowed for eating, drinking and having sexual intimacy. Perhaps, this is to allow the body to make use of the energy gained from the food and drink consumed to the maximum.
The Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ʿalaihi wa sallam, has said in a Hadeeth, also authenticated by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim:
مَا تَزَالُ أُمَّتِي بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الإِفْطَارَ وَأَخَّرُوا السَّحُورَ
“My Ummah, will remain to be good, so long as they rush for their Iftaar, and delay in taking their Sahūr.”
The message? Don’t take your Sahūr four hours before Fajr time. You should take it 30 down to 15 minutes before.
7. Let’s Seek Perfection in Our Ramaḍān
Fasting is undoubtedly challenging. We gain spiritual strength from fasting, but we lose physical stamina in the process. We develop sense of ‘feeling for the poor and the needy’. We attain the attribute of patience. Most importantly, we become more humble than we usually think we are.
The fact that one is fasting during the month of Ramaḍān, doesn’t give him the ticket to take his duties and responsibilities lightly. Perfection remains an essential requirement in the life of every Muslim, at any point of time.
Observing perfection in all that we do in Ramaḍān will significantly reflect on the quality and the genuineness of our fasting.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ إِذَا عَمِلَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَمَلاً أَنْ يُتْقِنَهُ
“Allāh loves, when one of you does something, for him to do it well.” ~ Hadeeth.
Conclusion
Ramaḍān is an event that is perceived to be annual. In fact, it’s an annual event. However, not everyone gets the opportunity to give it the possible perfection from one’s capacity. In our organizational, social, national, regional and international annual events, we strive to make each year’s event more outstanding than those of all previous years. With the etiquettes outlined in this article, we are likely to make every Ramaḍān a more outstanding event, than its predecessor.
Only Allāh knows if any of us will live to witness the next Ramaḍān. This should be an enough motivational factor, for us to present our best of etiquettes to the holy month.
Usually, having consciousness for etiquettes indicates that we have greater consciousness for the Dos and Don’ts in Ramaḍān, which are all discussed “6 Habits We Must Attain in Ramaḍān.” (Click here to read it) and “10 Habits We Must Avoid in Ramaḍān” (Click here to read it).
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Allāh knows best.
PS: You can read this article and other Ramaḍān-related articles in my new book, Reviving the Spirit of Ramaḍān. Kindly obtain your copy from http://www.gsalam.net/ramadan-spirit.
Allāhu Hāfiẓ 
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