02
The Prophet’s Fast ﷺ
The way in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spent the month of Ramadan is a vast topic, justice cannot be done by discussing this focus area in just a few pages. This section only gives a tiny glimpse into his devotion and how he benefitted from this blessed month.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ spent Ramadan in full service and dedication to Allah Almighty, he spent day and night in dhikr and making dua for the Ummah. The Prophet’s ﷺ relationship with Ramadan did not begin with the obligation to fast, he had a connection with this holy month long before. It was during the month of Ramadan that he would achieve seclusion in the Cave Hira at the outskirts of Makkah to connect with Allah Almighty, using this time as a source of tranquillity and focus. It was during the Prophet’s ﷺ self-isolation that he received the gift of the Holy Quran, surrounded by nature on Mount Nur on the sublime hills of Makkah.
Suhoor
The Prophet ﷺ described the pre-dawn meal of suhoor as a wholly blessed meal (Sunnan Nisai). What meal could be more blessed than the one which helps and aids obedience to Allah Almighty.
The Prophet ﷺ recommended suhoor with dates but not too many, Syeduna Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) describes the prophet as saying:
“How good is the believers meal of dates
shortly before dawn”
(Sunan Abi Dawud)
Syeduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
“The prophet ordered me to prepare Sehri because he intended to fast, so I brought dates and a pan filled with water
(Nisai)
We should use the example of Rasulluah ﷺ and reflect on the amount of food we consume before closing our fast.
During the day
Reading Quran
The Prophet’s ﷺ deep relationship with the month of Ramadan and the Quran is very well known. The revelation of the Quran upon the sacred heart of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began in this month and no one was more aware of this link than the prophet himself. Even though reciting the Quran was normal for him throughout the year, he would increase its recitation during this month.
The Prophet ﷺ would love to listen to others recite the Quran, It is narrated in numerous ahadith that he would ask companions to recite to him. In fact, he would also recite the Quran with the angel Jibraeel (as) every Ramadan (Sahih Bukhari).
Try to read more Quran during the month of Ramadan, spend time learning and reciting with your family. Stay away from digital devices, conserve electrical energy and gain spiritual energy. The lesson we take from this is that we should try to read more.
Generosity
We all understand the importance and significance of charity in the month of Ramadan. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ set the standard for us. His generosity did not just begin after his announcement of prophethood but dates back to when he began dealing with people. Syeduna Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) praises him and says:
“By Allah, he will never let you be worried, he looks after the guest, reduces other’s burdens, helps the helpless and gives support in the trials faced in the path of truth”
(Bukhari)
There are numerous wisdoms behind the increasing generosity in the month of Ramadan, everyone is fully aware, however, it cannot be stressed enough how much that would mean to people in these current times. Generosity should not be confined to material things such as money. For example, you can be generous with your time by volunteering to improve the environment in your neighbourhood.
Miswak
Every person of understanding knows well how much the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved the miswak. He even used it whilst fasting. There are countless hadith on this matter.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
“The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.”
(Sunan An-Nasa’i)
Using miswak is a Sunnah and it’s much more environmentally friendly than a plastic toothbrush and chemical based toothpaste.
The miswak’s properties have been described as having antibacterial activity which can help control the formation and activity of dental plaque, they can be used effectively as a natural toothbrush for teeth cleaning. Such sticks are effective, inexpensive, common, available, and contain many medical properties.
Spirituality
Abu Hurraira narrates that the Prophet (saw) said:
“Fasting is not just refraining from food and drink but is also refraining from useless and indecent talk”
(As Sunan Al Kubra)
An important lesson we can take from the Prophet ﷺ is to switch off from everything materialistic around you and focus on Allah Almighty during Ramadan.
Iftar
The items that the Prophet ﷺ preferred for Iftar were dates and water. Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
“The Prophet ﷺ performed iftar with fresh dates, if there weren’t any, then with dried dates and if there weren’t any then with water
(Abu Dawood)
On most occasions, he would have dates and water for iftar but sometimes he would also have milk. Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrates:
“The Prophet performed Iftar with milk and Ajwa dates”
The Prophet ﷺ loved communal iftars and also opening his fast with the poor. It was one of the blessings of the prophet’s teachings that his companions did not perform iftar alone but involved the poor and destitute of society.
Furthermore, it was his practice that if a poor person ever came to him whilst he was eating, he would immediately give him his portion of food. The prophet has also said that the blessed dish is the one with the most hands in it (Ibn Hibban, Hasan)
Reflection
In comparison to how our Prophet ﷺ fasted, we should reflect on our own fasting. We may spend the entire day refraining from food and water but in its place it is common practice that we end up cooking a lot more during Iftar times. It is also common occurrence to consume electronic gadgets, regularly going shopping and using our cars more often.
Globally, overconsumption of food and other resources is destroying the planet, it is increasing the rate of climate breakdown and creating more air pollution. It exhausts the planet’s life support systems like the ones that provide us with fresh water and leaves us short of materials critical to our health and quality of life.
There is an immense deepness and importance in the relationship between the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Ramadan and using this month as a catalyst for the how we continue to live our lives.