Sunnah practices of the Ramadan fast

Sunnah practices of the Ramadan fast1. Eating the Pre-Dawn Meal (Suhoor)On the authority of Anas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Take the Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal) because there is blessing (Barakah) in it.’ [al-Bukhari and Muslim]On the authority of ‘Amr ibn al-’Aas (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘The difference between our fasting and that of the People of the Book is taking the meal of Suhoor (before dawn).” [Muslim]2. Delaying the Suhoor Meal until just before the break of dawn (Fajr).Zaid ibn Thaabit (radiyallaahu ‘an-hu) said: ‘We ate Suhoor with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), then we got up to offer the Salaah (Fajr Prayer).’ I asked,‘What was the time between the Adhaan and the Suhoor?’ He said: ‘(The time it would take) to recite fifty verses.’ [al-Bukhari and Muslim]3. Hastening to break the fast when one is sure that the sun has actually set.On the authority of Sahl (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘The people (i.e. fasting Muslims) will remain upon Khair (good) as long as they hasten to break the fast.’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]4. Breaking the fast with fresh dates, before performing the prayer.On the authority of Anas (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said: ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to break his fast with fresh dates (an odd number) before praying. If fresh dates were not available he would break his fast with dry dates; and if dry dates were not available, then he would take a few sips of water.’ [Abu Daawood and Tirmidhee. See: Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1991, Shaykh al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah)]5. Supplicating at the time of breaking the fast.On the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa), who said: When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to break his fast he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would say: ‘The thirst is gone, and the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.’ [Abu Daawood and ad-DarQutnee, who said: The chain of narrators is good (hasan). See: Irwaa al-Ghaleel, no. 920 by Shaykh al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah)]6. Feeding a fasting person.On the authority of Zaid ibn Khaalid (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever gives someone something to break the fast, he would have a reward similar (to the reward of the fasting person) and this would not reduce the reward of the fasting person in any way.’ [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah & Ibn Hibbaan. See: Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 6415, Shaykh al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah)]7. Being eager to perform Salaatul-Qiyaam (i.e. Late Night Prayers).On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever stands (in the Late Night Prayers) in Ramadan, out of Emaan (faith) and Ih-ti-saab (expectation of Allah’s reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.’ [al-Bukhari and Muslim]8. Standing in Salaatul-Qiyaam with the Imaam until he completes the prayer.On the authority of Abu Dharr (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever prays Qiyaam – [i.e., Taraaweeh night prayers in Ramadaan] – with the Imam until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the whole night in prayer.’ [Classified as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Saheeh at-Tirmidhee].9. Increasing Ones Good Deeds, (e.g. Sadaqah, Dhikr, & especially reading the Qur’an).On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, ‘When the first night of the month of Ramadan comes…a caller calls out: O seeker of good, come forth; O seeker of evil, desist…’ [at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah; and classified as Hasan by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 759]10. Restraining the Tongue from False Speech and its Actions.On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu ‘anhu), that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever does not give up false speech (lying, slander, etc.) and acting upon it (i.e. the actions based upon such speech), and ignorant behaviour - Allah has no need of him giving up his food and his drink.’ [al-Bukhari]Benefits and advice for the fasting person

1. It is necessary that your food and drink be Halaal (lawful) in order that your deeds be accepted and your supplication be answered.2. Beware of fasting (abstaining) from the lawful, then breaking your fast with the unlawful, such as smoking and backbiting.3. Whoever ate something due to forgetfulness must continue his fast, and there is no need to makeup the day. “It is Allah Who has given him to eat and drink.”4. Guard your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and tale-bearing. Surely, these things decrease the reward of fasting, and perhaps they may invalidate it. Allah says: “Verily, Allah only accepts (the deeds of) al-Muttaqeen (the pious and righteous, who guard themselves from the displeasure of Allah)”. [Qur’an 5:27]5. Beware of wasting your time without performing good deeds. Surely, you will be questioned about your time, called to account about it, and rewarded for whatever deeds you have done with it (i.e. the time given to you in this world).6. Don’t let the fast cause you to transgress the bounds (of proper behaviour), such that you becomeangry for the smallest matter, excusing yourself by the fact that you are fasting.7. Turn back to Allah with sincere repentance - at all times - by abandoning sinful behavior, regretting what you have done previously, being determined not to return to such behaviour in the future; and consider Ramadan as the turning point, the point of change in your life.8. Fast six days in the month of Shawwal. Whoever fasts the (complete) month of Ramadan, and then follows it up with six days of fasting in Shawwal will be considered as having fasted the whole year.9. Increase your spending in the Way of Allah. Verily, Ramadan is the month of charity and generosity.10. Performing Umrah (the visit to Makkah) in Ramadan earns the reward of a Haj (Pilgrimage).O Allah! We ask You by Your Beautiful Names and Lofty Characteristics to make us of those who are foremost in the doing of good deeds, and who are far removed from all types of evil.O Allah! Grant us understanding of Your Deen (Islam) as well as the application of it (in our lives);Make us firm and steadfast in it, until we meet You [on the Day of Judgement] in a condition that You are pleased with us, O Allah, the Generous the Bountiful.