In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen may Allah have mercy on him

Question: What are the etiquettes of fasting?

Answer: From the etiquettes of fasting is the necessity of having Taqwa of Allah azza wa jal by carrying out His obligations and refraining from His prohibitions. Allah said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun [the pious]” (Baqarah: 183)

And the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به فليس لله حاجة في أن يدع طعامه 

“Whoever does not abandon lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” (Bukhari)

From the etiquettes is to increase in charity, righteousness [Birr], and having good conduct with people, especially in Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Jibreel would descend to teach him the Qur’an. (Bukhari)

From the etiquettes of fasting is to abandon Allah’s prohibitions like lying, cursing, insulting, cheating, treachery, looking at prohibited things, listening to prohibited things [like music], and everything else that is prohibited and obligatory to abandon for the fasting and non-fasting person. However, the prohibition for the fasting person is even more emphasized.

From the etiquettes of fasting is to perform and to delay eating the Suhoor [pre-dawn meal] because of the Prophet’s, peace and blessing be upon him, statement:

تسحروا فإن في السحور بركة

“Eat Suhoor [predawn meal]. Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

And also from the etiquettes of fasting is to break the fast with ripe or wet dates [Rutab], and if that is not found then with dry dates [Tamr], and if that is not found then with water. One should rush to break his fast once the sun sets, or once it is likely to him that the sun has set. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

‏لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر

“People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Source: Fiqhul ‘Ibaadaat Question No. #149

Translated by: Abu Awzaa’ee AbdusSalaam

الفقير الى الله