Kapanlagi.com - During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obliged to fast. In addition to performing the obligatory worship of Ramadan fasting and fardhu prayers, Muslims are also encouraged to perform various sunnahs. Interestingly, there are many sunnahs that seem trivial but bring extraordinary rewards. One of the sunnahs in the month of Ramadan is to break the fast with sweet food.
Many believe in the truth of breaking the fast with sweet food. However, there are also many who associate this sunnah with the habits and tastes of the general public who do indeed like sweet foods. So what is the truth, is breaking the fast with sweet food a sunnah or just a matter of taste?
Instead of being curious, to find out the facts behind the sunnah of breaking the fast with sweet food, just read the following review:
1. Sunnah of Breaking Fast with Sweet Food
Breaking the fast with sweet things (credit: unsplash)
Actually, there is no hadith directly stating that Prophet Muhammad PBUH recommended breaking the fast with sweet food. However, there is a hadith explaining the recommendation of Prophet Muhammad PBUH regarding breaking the fast.
One of the frequently quoted hadiths regarding breaking the fast is the hadith narrated by bu Daud no. 2356 and Ahmad, which tells that Prophet Muhammad PBUH usually broke his fast with ruthab (fresh dates) or tamr (dried dates). However, there is no further explanation about breaking the fast with sweet food.
From Salman bin 'Amir Adh Dhobbi, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, he said: "If one of you breaks his fast, then break it with tamar (dried dates). For dates bring blessings. If you cannot find dates, then break the fast with water because water purifies."
The dominant sweetness of dates is the basis for people to conclude that breaking the fast with something sweet is recommended.
2. Benefits of Breaking the Fast with Sweet Things
Benefits of Breaking the Fast with Sweet Things (credit: unsplash)
Many scholars provide interpretations related to breaking the fast with sweet food. According to one scholar, breaking the fast with sweet food can help restore diminished vision due to fasting. This can be found in the books of scholars such as Mawahibul Jalil fi Syarhi Mukhtashar Khalil and Syarah Mukhtashar Khalil.
In these books, it is mentioned that breaking the fast with sweet food is recommended to restore diminished vision due to fasting. This is one form of compassion for the weak. Although there are no hadiths that directly state this, there are scholars who provide the view that breaking the fast with sweet food can provide health benefits.
In addition, from a medical perspective, breaking the fast with sweet food or drinks is also believed to be beneficial for the body. Here are the medical benefits of breaking the fast with sweet food:
- Sweet food or drinks can help restore lost energy during fasting. The sugar content in sweet food or drinks can quickly restore blood sugar levels and provide the energy needed for activities after fasting.
- The sugar content in sweet food or drinks can also stimulate the release of serotonin hormone, which can improve mood and make a person feel better after fasting all day.
- Consuming sweet food or drinks can also help prevent hypoglycemia or excessive decrease in blood sugar levels after fasting. This can prevent symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and fatigue that usually occur after fasting.
- Sweet food or drinks can also help overcome dehydration after fasting all day. The sugar and electrolyte content in sweet drinks can help restore lost body fluids during fasting.
3. Other Sunnahs of Breaking the Fast
Other Sunnahs of Breaking the Fast (credit: unsplash)
In addition to eating dates or other sweet foods, there are still several recommended practices for breaking the fast that every Muslim can do. Here are some recommended practices for breaking the fast as taught by the Prophet Muhammad:
- Break the fast immediately after the Maghrib adhan is called.
- Break the fast with fresh dates or water before performing the Maghrib prayer.
- If there are no dates, break the fast with a glass of water before the main meal.
- Recite the dua for breaking the fast: "Allahumma laka sumtu wa 'ala rizqika aftartu" which means "O Allah, for You I have fasted and with Your sustenance I break my fast."
- Break the fast with gratitude and awareness of the blessings of food and drink after fasting all day.
Those are some explanations regarding the recommended practice of breaking the fast with sweet foods. Hopefully, it is beneficial and can answer curiosity, increase knowledge, and strengthen faith as a Muslim. Ameen.
(kpl/psp)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.