Salam o Alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Do you know how our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preferred breaking his fast at Iftar time?
Let’s find out with authentic Hadith and references!
1- The Right Time and Meal to Break Fast
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to break his fast as soon as the night started to fall from one side. Furthermore, Sawiq (parched barley) was considered a healthy meal to have in Iftar.
Abdullah bin Abi Aufa narrated:
We were in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey and he was fasting, and when the sun set, he addressed somebody, "O so-and-so, get up and mix Sawiq with water for us."
He replied, "O Allah's Apostle! (Will you wait) till it is evening?"
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us."
He replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (If you wait) till it is evening."
The Prophet (ﷺ) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us."
He replied, "It is still daytime."
The Prophet (ﷺ) said again, "Get down and mix Sawiq with water for us."
He got down and mixed Sawiq for them.
The Prophet (ﷺ) drank it and then said, "When you see night falling from this side, the fasting person should break his fast."
– (Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1955)
2- The Best Way to Break Fast
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preferred breaking his fast with dates, and if he couldn’t find dates, he broke his fast with water.
Salman bin ‘Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"When any one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates. If he cannot find dates, then let him break it with water, for it is a means of purification."
– (Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1699)
3- Nabidh – The Forbidden Drink
Lastly, while date is one of the best items to break your fast with, it should be noted that Nabidh (a fermented drink made from dates steeped in water) is forbidden in Islam. That’s because when dates are steeped into water for too long, the liquid turns into alcohol which is Haram in our religion.
Abu Hurairah narrated:
“I knew that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] was fasting on certain days, so I prepared some Nabidh for him to break his fast, and made it in a gourd. When evening came I brought it to him, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I knew that you were fasting today, so I prepared this Nabidh for you to break your fast.’ He said: ‘Bring it to me, O Abu Hurairah.’ I brought it to him, and it turned out to be something bubbling. He said: ‘Take this and throw it against the wall (throw it away), for this is the drink of one who does not believe in Allah or the Last Day.’”
– (Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5704)
May Allah (SWT) accept our fasts, forgive us for our past sins, and guide us on the right path this Ramadan. Ameen.
