Where the previous chapter delayed the predawn meal, this one hastens the sunset one. The Prophet tied a community's well-being to its readiness to break the fast as soon as the sun has truly set, without holding back to seem more pious. The Arabic spirit here is taqdim al-fitr, being quick to break, an eagerness that reflects following guidance rather than inventing extra hardship.
These hadith also teach the manners of breaking the fast: confirming nightfall by the simple signs of the setting sun and the advancing darkness, choosing dates or, if none, pure water, and the love Allah has for the servant who is quick to obey. Read together, they show that gladness at the moment of iftar is itself part of the worship.
Hadith 1233
Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر" ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "People will continue to adhere to good as long as they hasten to break the Saum (fasting)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
People stay upon goodness as long as they are quick to break their fast once the sun has set, rather than delaying to appear more pious.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1233 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 243
Hadith 1234
Abu Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي عطية قال: دخلت أنا ومسروق على عائشة رضي الله عنها فقال لها مسروق: رجلان من أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم كلاهما لا يألو عن الخير: أحدهما يعجل المغرب والإفطار، والآخر يؤخر المغرب والإفطار؟ فقالت: من يعجل المغرب والإفطار؟ قال: عبد الله - يعني ابن مسعود- فقالت: هكذا كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصنع" ((رواه مسلم)).
Masruq and I visited 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and said: "O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Muhammad (ﷺ) and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer)." She asked, "Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?" Masruq said, "It is 'Abdullah (meaning 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud)." She said, "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to do so." [Muslim].
In plain words
Aishah confirms that hastening to break the fast and pray Maghrib promptly follows the Prophet's own practice. Being prompt is the better way.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1234 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 244
Hadith 1235
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الله عز وجل: "أحب عبادي إلي أعجلهم فطرًا" ((رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Most High says: 'From amongst my slaves, the quicker the one is in breaking the Saum (fasting), the dearer is he to me."' [At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Allah loves most the servant who is quickest to break the fast at sunset. Eagerness to follow guidance is itself beloved to Him.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1235 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 245
Hadith 1236
'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عمر بن الخطاب، رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إذا أقبل الليل من ههنا وأدبر النهار من ههنا، وغربت الشمس، فقد أفطر الصائم" ((متفق عليه))
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When the night approaches from this side (i.e., the east) and the day retreats from that side (i.e., west) and the sun sets, then it is time for a person observing Saum (fasting) to break his fast." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
A clear sign for breaking the fast: when night advances from the east, day retreats in the west, and the sun has set, it is time to eat.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1236 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 246
Hadith 1237
Abu Ibrahim 'Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن أبي إبراهيم عبد الله بن أبي أوفى، رضي الله عنهما قال: سرنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو صائم فلما غربت الشمس قال لبعض القوم: "يا فلان انزل فاجدح لنا، فقال: يا رسول الله لو أمسيت؟ قال: "انزل فاجدح لنا" قال: إن عليك نهارًا، قال: "انزل فاجدح لنا" قال: فنزل فجدح لهم فشرب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم قال: "إذا رأيتم الليل قد أقبل من ههنا، فقد أفطر الصائم" وأشار بيده قبل المشرق. ((متفق عليه))
We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey and he was observing Saum (fasting). When the sun set, he (ﷺ) said to a person, "Dismount and prepare the ground roasted barley drink for us." Upon this he replied, "O Messenger of Allah, there is daylight still." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Get down and prepare barley drink for us." He said, "But it is still daytime." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) again said to him, "Get down and prepare barely drink for us." So he got down and prepared a barley liquid meal for him. The Prophet (ﷺ) drank that and then said, "When you perceive the night approaching from that side, a person observing Saum (fasting) should break the fast." And he (ﷺ) pointed towards the east with his hand. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Even when a companion hesitated, thinking it was still light, the Prophet insisted the fast be broken once the sun had set. Once nightfall is real, there is no need to wait.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1237 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 247
Hadith 1238
Salman bin 'Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن سلمان بن عامر الضبي الصحابي، رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا أفطر أحدكم، فليفطر على تمر فإن لم يجد فليفطر على ماء فإنه طهور" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "When one of you breaks his Saum (fasting), let him break it on dates; if he does not have any, break his fast with water for it is pure." [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
When breaking the fast, the Prophet recommended dates, and if none were available, water, since it is pure. Simple guidance for the moment of iftar.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1238 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 248
Hadith 1239
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يفطر قبل أن يصلي على رطبات، فإن لم تكن رطبات فتميرات فإن لم تكن تميرات حسا حسوات من ماء. ((رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date- fruits, he will eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date- fruits; he would take three draughts of water. [At- Tirmidhi].
In plain words
The Prophet would break his fast before Maghrib with a few dates, fresh or dry, or with water if there were none. A gentle, modest way to open the fast.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1239 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 249