This concise summary outlines theProphetic Guidance in Ramadan, as documented in the authentic books of Sunnah. This collection serves as a reminder for brothers and sisters of the Prophet’sﷺpractices and an invitation to implement them in our daily lives.
The objective is to clarify the Prophet’sﷺwords, actions, and approvals regarding Ramadan. This article does not focus on legal rulings (obligatory vs. recommended) unless necessary for clarity. Below are twenty-one essential matters concerning his guidance.
1. Announcing the Month and Its Virtues
The Prophetﷺused to give glad tidings of Ramadan’s arrival. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allahﷺsaid:
“Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has made its fasting obligatory upon you. In it, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained [1]…” (Ahmad and an-Nasa’i).
Note:The famous “Salman al-Farsi” hadith (dividing the month into mercy, forgiveness, and salvation) is consideredinauthentic (Da’if/Munkar)by scholars like Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hajar [3].
2. Sighting the Crescent Moon
The Prophetﷺcommenced fasting only upon a verified sighting. He said:
“Fast when you see it [the crescent] and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured, then complete the count of Shaban as thirty days.” (Bukhariand Muslim).
3. Prohibition of Preceding Ramadan
One should not fast a day or two beforeRamadanto “be safe.
“None of you should precede Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, unless it is a man who habitually observes a fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
4. Establishing Intention (Niyyah) at Night
The intention must be made before Fajr.
“Whoever does not establish the intention to fast during the night, there is no fast for him.” (An-Nasa’i).
The heart’s resolve is the intention; verbalizing it is not aSunnahrequirement.
5. Purity and Fasting
Ritual purity is not a condition for the validity of the start of a fast. Aisha andUmm Salamareported that Fajr would reach the Prophetﷺwhile he was in a state ofJanaba(major impurity) from his wives; he would then performGhusland continue his fast [6].
6. Moderation in Wudu (Istinshaq)
The Prophetﷺadvised: “PerformWuduthoroughly… and sniff water deep into the nose unless you are fasting.” (The Four Sunan).
7. Increased Generosity and Quran Study
Ibn Abbasreported: “The Messenger of Allahﷺwas the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him every night to study the Quran.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
8. Continuous Fasting (Wisal)
The Prophetﷺoccasionally practicedWisal(fasting multiple days without breaking) but forbade it for his Ummah out of mercy. He stated: “I am not like you; my Lord feeds me and gives me drink” [18].
9. The Pre-dawn Meal (Suhoor)
The Prophetﷺemphasized: “Take Suhoor, for indeed in Suhoor there is blessing.” (Bukhari and Muslim). He would delay it until approximately the time it takes to recite fifty verses before the Fajr prayer.
10. Hastening the Iftar
“The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim). This distinguishes Muslims from the People of the Book who delay it [30].
11. Supplication (Dua) While Fasting
The Prophetﷺindicated that the prayer of the fasting person is not rejected. His reported Dua upon breaking the fast:
“Dhahaba al-zama’u, wabtallat al-‘uruqu, wa thabata al-ajru in sha’ Allah.”
12. Breaking Fast with Dates
Heﷺpreferred breaking the fast with fresh dates (Rutab), or dry dates (Tamr), or sips of water. (Abu Daud).
13. Night Prayers (Tarawih)
The Prophetﷺencouraged Qiyam: “Whoever stands [in prayer] during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Regarding the number ofRak’ahs, scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah noted that the Prophetﷺdid not set a rigid number, allowing for flexibility between 11, 23, or more depending on the length of recitation [37].
14. Feeding the Fasting Person
“Whoever provides Iftar for a fasting person will have a reward like theirs…” (Tirmidhi).
15. Dua for the Host
If he broke his fast at someone’s home, he prayed: “May the fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may theangelssend blessings upon you.”
16. Protecting the Tongue
“Fasting is a shield… if someone insults him, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” (Bukhari and Muslim). Avoiding false speech is essential for the fast to be accepted.
17. Fasting While Traveling
The Prophetﷺfasted and broke his fast during travels, allowing companions to choose based on their strength and the difficulty of the journey.
18. Striving in the Last Ten Nights
In the final ten days, the Prophetﷺwould “tighten his waist-belt,” stay awake in worship, and wake his family. He also practicedItikaf(seclusion) during this period.
19. Seeking Laylat al-Qadr
Heﷺinstructed: “Seek Laylatal-Qadrin the odd nights of the last ten days.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
20. The Special Dua for the Night of Decree
Aisha was taught to say:“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni”(O Allah, You are Forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me).
21. Zakat al-Fitr
The ProphetﷺmandatedZakat al-Fitr(oneSa’of food) to be paid before the Eid prayer to purify the faster and feed the poor.
By Dr. Hamid Goufi
