Fast 2 Fit #6: Other Sunnah of Fasting, Suhoor and Iftar
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Fast 2 Fit #6: Other Sunnah of Fasting, Suhoor and Iftar
Collect Hasanat while following the good habits of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) during and after the month of Ramadan.
By the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
In continuation of the thoughts about the simplicity and ease that Allah promised to humankind, you can read more about this here and here.
Hasanat is simply doing good deeds. And what better way to add some good deeds to your daily life during the month of Ramadan, by simply following the example of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).
If you love Allah(SWT), follow me [Prophet Mohammad (SAW)], and Allah(SWT) will love you and forgive you your sins; Allah (SWT) is most forgiving, most merciful.
[Quran 3:31]
You already live, pray, fast, eat and drink. What if you start doing everything the Sunnah way, your life will immediately become a form of worship and you will be conscious of Allah (SWT) at all times.
Before we begin, I would like to remind the easiest way to get some Hasanats.
Send the Salam and Durood to the Prophet(SAW)
Anas reported Allah's Messenger as saying, "If anyone invokes a blessing on me once, God will grant him ten blessings, ten sins will be remitted from him, and he will be raised ten degrees.” Nasa'i transmitted it.
Mishkat al-Masabih 922 | https://sunnah.com/mishkat:922
Sunnah of Fasting in Ramadan
1. Declare the intention of fasting.
Intention holds the utmost importance in Islam. Again we were directed by Allah (SWT) and Prophet Mohammad (SAW), 1400 years ago - to hold the intention of Fasting, and Salah and Zakah. And if you talk to modern sports, life, or career coaches - Everyone is teaching Intention in the forms of Vision Boards and Smart Goal Setting and Lifebooks.
It was narrated from Hafsah that the Prophet said: "Whoever does not have the intention of fasting from the night before, then there is no fast for him." (Daif)
Sunan an-Nasa'i 2334 | https://sunnah.com/nasai:2334
Once you set an Intention for Fasting, it is more than likely that you will be able to keep up with the fast.
After all, One can never go wrong with setting an intention and then working towards it. If you want to achieve a goal. For example - You want to succeed in your studies, get a certain degree, or a certain job, home, or succeed in your business venture, this time before starting - Say Bismillah, and Set an Intention first. Much like you set an intention for Fasting. Set an Intention that You have this job, or degree or home, or successful business.
In the Hustle and Grind way of the world, we seem to forget the basics. Intention setting and belief in Allah that you will succeed is probably a better Sunnah way.
Try this out, and let me know in comments your experience with this.
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Sunnah of Eating for Iftaar and Suhoor
Wash hands before and after eating.
We are exposed to multiple environmental impurities, bacteria, and viruses as an act of day-to-day living; we touch objects, that may look clean from the outside but are full of impurities that might collect harmful germs and bacteria in our hands.
Scientifically; Hand washing removes any dirt or germs present in the hand. It is a best practice to prevent infection and disease.
Especially in the time of pandemic, the entire world is now finally learning to wash hands. Imagine that Our Prophet (SAW) had this knowledge more than 1400 years ago. Wudoo and Washing hands is the best and safest thing you can do for yourself in these times.
Image Credit: claudio-schwarz-purzlbaum-on-unsplash
Eat Together and Recite Bismillah before the meal
Gather to eat together. Always say Bismillah before eating. In these days of TV and distractions and busy life, people try to eat while working and studying. While I know people mostly eat Iftar and Dinner together in the month of Ramadan.
Try to continue this tradition after Ramadan is over. If you are able to get kids to understand that it is always better eating together than eating in front of a computer or TV, no matter how busy the work gets.
Wahshi bin Harb bin Wahshi bin Harb narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that they said: "O Messenger of Allah, we eat and do not feel full." He said: “Perhaps you eat separately?" They said: "Yes." He said: "Gather to eat together, and mention the Name of Allah over it, then it will be blessed for you."
Sunan Ibn Majah 3286 | https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3286
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Eating with Right Hand
I understand that there is a small percentage of left-handed people in the world. And while they may have learned to eat and drink with Right hand, trying to write or do other things with their non-dominant right hand may be extremely difficult for you.
And Allah (SWT) wanted to make Islam easy for us. Following a Sunnah is a noble deed but Allah (SWT) will not be angry at you if you are unable to follow it because of how your body works. Allah(SWT) knows best. And Allah (SWT) is all-forgiving.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet(SAW) said: "Let one of you eat with his right hand and drink with his right hand, and take with his right hand and give with his right hand, for Satan eats with his left hand, drinks with his left hand, gives with his left hand and takes with his left hand."
Sunan Ibn Majah 3266 | https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3266
Never Criticize Food.
It might so happen that when you are cooking a meal while fasting, without being able to taste it. Some days it might come out good, other days bad. It is a Sunnah to never criticize the food.
Abu Hurairah said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) never expressed disapproval of food; if he desired it, he ate it, and if he disliked it, he left it alone.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3763 | https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3763
Upon breaking the fast, if you realize that something is not tasting the way you want to, you can always adjust salt, pepper, squeeze of lime juice, or butter and water and heat it up. Salt, Fat, Heat, or Acid could always balance or fix any meal.
Thank Allah after every meal.
You can simply say Alhamdulillah, for the food, and water. Or if you are up to it memorize this Dua’ that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) used to saw after finishing his meals.
Praise is to Allah (SWT) Who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims
Sunan Abi Dawud 3850 | https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3850
Eating in Suhoor
Simple to do - Say Bismillah, Drink water, and Eat 3 (or 7) dates for Suhoor.
Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet(SAW) as saying: How good is the believers meal of dates shortly before dawn.
Sunan Abi Dawud 2345 | https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2345
I talk about more Sunnah habits to observe during Suhoor and Iftar including the Recipes in the Fast 2 Fit: Your Ultimate Guide to Losing Weight this Ramadan.
Lastly, If you are still on the fence about getting your Fast 2 Fit guide, Ramadan is slipping away. I truly hope you get it before Ramadan is Over. So you can lose weight. Feel Great and Do Good this Ramadan.