Recommended Practices (Sunan) during Ramadan
Throughout Ramadan, there are numerous recommended practices (Sunan) that individuals can follow to enhance their spiritual experience and earn greater rewards. Here are some of these recommended actions:
- Predawn Meal: It is recommended to have a predawn meal (Sahur), even if it is minimal, such as drinking water.
- Timing of Sahur: While the time of Sahur starts from midnight, it is better to delay it until just before dawn, ensuring one does not fear the arrival of dawn while eating.
- Using Perfume: Applying perfume at the time of Sahur is encouraged.
- Hastening the Iftar: Breaking the fast promptly at sunset is preferred, provided one is certain of the sunset time.
- Order of Fitr and Maghrib Prayer: If one is not concerned about missing the congregational prayer or Takbeeratul Ihram, it is recommended to break the fast first and then pray Maghrib.
- Breaking Fast with Dates or Water: Dates are the preferred choice for breaking the fast, but if unavailable, water is also suitable.
- Supplication upon Breaking Fast: It is recommended to say following dua upon breaking the fast
اللهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَعَلى رِزْقِكَ أفْطَرْت
(Oh Allah, for You only fasted and upon Your generosity I have broken the fast.)
- Supplication when Breaking Fast with Water: The following dua is recommended when breaking fast with water.
ذَهَبَ الظّمأ، وابتَلّتِ العُروقُ، وثَبتَ الأجْرُ إن شاءَ الله تعالى.
(Thirst has gone, the veins are moist, and the reward is assured, if Allah wills).
- Generosity and Charity: Engaging in acts of generosity and giving charity during Ramadan.
- Strengthening Family Bonds: Increasing and strengthening relationships with family and relatives.
- Recitation of the Quran: Reading Quran abundantly during Ramadan.
- Observing I’tikaaf: Observing I’tikaaf, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan, by secluding oneself in the mosque for worship.
- Facilitating Others’ Iftar: Providing food, even if only water, to facilitate others in breaking their fast.
- Obligatory Bath before Dawn: Performing the obligatory bath before Fajr prayer, if he is in a state of janaba (major ritual impurity).
- Abstaining from Slander, Lying, and Obscenity: Refraining from slander, lying, and using obscene language.
- Detachment from Worldly Desires: Striving to detach from worldly desires and focus on spiritual growth.
- Avoiding Bloodletting and Cupping: Refraining from bloodletting and cupping, which are forms of medical treatment.
- Asserting Fasting Status: It is recommended to inform others by saying “I’m fasting” if someone unintentionally hurts a fasting person.
- Kissing: It is forbidden to kiss if one fears it may lead to orgasm (ejaculation).
- Abstaining from Food at Night: It is prohibited to refrain from taking any food during the nights between two fast days. However, if one consumes water before dawn, even if it is just a swallow, it does not constitute a violation.
Discouraged Actions (Makrooh) During Ramadan Fasting
During the fast of Ramadan, certain actions are considered discouraged (Makrooh). Here are some practices that are discouraged during fasting:
- Tasting Food: It is discouraged to taste food while fasting.
- Chewing Gum: Chewing gum is discouraged during fasting.
- Using Toothbrush After Noon: It is discouraged to use a toothbrush after noon while fasting.
- Remaining Silent All Day: It is discouraged for both the fasting person and others to remain silent all day until night.
Permissible Actions During Ramadan Fasting
Certain actions are permissible and not discouraged during fasting in Ramadan. Here are a couple of examples:
- Applying Kohl to the Eyes: It is permissible to line the eyes with kohl during fasting.
- Taking a Bath: Bathing is also permissible during fasting.
📘 About the Author
Abdu Shaheed Azhary
Teacher, researcher, and writer focused on moral clarity and Islamic guidance rooted in classical scholarship.