Sahl reported God’s messenger as saying, “The people will continue to prosper as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”* *This refers to each day during Ramadan, and recommends that the fast should be broken as early as that may lawfully be done. (Bukhari and Muslim.)
The Excellence of Hastening Iftar
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes a profound spiritual principle governing the Muslim community's relationship with divine timing and obedience. The term "prosper" (في خير) encompasses both worldly well-being and religious success, indicating that temporal and spiritual welfare are intertwined through adherence to prophetic guidance.
Legal and Spiritual Dimensions
Hastening the breaking of the fast (تعجيل الفطر) demonstrates immediate compliance with Allah's permission once sunset occurs, reflecting eager obedience rather than reluctant fulfillment. This practice distinguishes the Muslim community from People of the Book, who often delay breaking their fasts.
The continuous prosperity mentioned indicates that communal adherence to Sunnah preserves divine blessings, protects from trials, and maintains religious vitality. Scholars note that delaying iftar without valid reason may lead to gradual religious decline, as small neglects often precede greater deviations.
Practical Implementation
The recommended method is to break fast immediately upon certain sunset, preferably with fresh dates, then dried dates, then water - following the Prophet's example. This hastening should not precede actual sunset, as that would violate the fast's sanctity.
This teaching encourages Muslims to balance between not anticipating sunset prematurely and not delaying once it has truly occurred, embodying the middle path characteristic of Islamic law.