Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Today I was caught up with friends outside and delayed Iftar for more than an hour, added to that i didn't say Iftar dua and had milk in hurry for magrib salah, is my fast valid? Please suggest!

Jazakallah khair!

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Answer:

 

Hurry to break fast

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.178         Narrated by Sahl bin Sad

The Messenger of Allah (saws): "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

 

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2346  Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians delay doing so.’

 

Sahl ibn Sad (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘All prophets (before me) have been ordered to hasten the breaking of the fast and to delay the (pre-fast dawn ‘suhoor’) meal, and to place our right hands on our left during prayer."

Reported by Al-Bukhari, Ahmad and Malik in his Al-Muwatta.

 

It is an extremely preferred Sunnah for the believers to hasten the breaking of the fast as soon as the sun has completely set.  If for some reason one forgets, or sleeps, or unintentionally delays the breaking of their fast, there is absolutely no harm…..but one should not intentionally delay the breaking of their fast.  Either way, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the delay in breaking one’s fast does not violate the validity of the fast.

 

Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (saws) would break his fast with ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water."

Related by Abu Dawud al-Hakim, and at-Tirmidhi.

 

Sulaiman ibn 'Amr (r.a.) reported that the Prophet (saws) said: "If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is purifying."

Related by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi.

 

The preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) was to break his fasts with an odd number of dates; and if no dates were available, then with water.  But if one has either no dates or no water, it is lawful to break one’s fast with any lawful sustenance which their Lord has provided them with. 

 

The supplication at ‘iftaar’ is a preferred Sunnah, but if one forgets or does not recite it when breaking one’s fast, it would not effect the validity of their fast in the least. 

 

Thus my respected brother, although the delay in breaking the fast, or drinking milk to break the fast, or not reciting the supplications at ‘iftaar’ are all acts against the prescribed Sunnah and practice of the Messenger of Allah (saws)….these acts by themselves would not invalidate your fast, Insha Allah.  It is expected that you shall have your due reward for your fast in the presence of your Lord Most Gracious.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan