Question # 71: Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Please what is the Dua made by the prophet Mohammad ( PBH) before he fasted and the Dua he made before breaking his fast during the month of Ramadan?

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: With regard to sahoor, there is no specific du’aa’ rather, one should say Bismillah at the beginning and praise Allah (swt) when one stops eating, as one does after every meal. Furthermore, there is no du’aa’ when starting to fast rather, one should simply have the intention that one is going to fast from the night before. The following supplication is to be recited at the time of breaking fast (before or after): “Dhahabaz-zama’u wabtallatil-‘uruqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha ‘Allah (The thirst is gone, and the veins are quenched, and the reward is assured – if Allah wills).”

Long Answer: With regard to sahoor, there is no specific du’aa’ to be said at this time. What is prescribed is to say Bismillah at the beginning and to praise Him when one stops eating, as should be done at every meal. [Furthermore,] … there is no du’aa’ that the Muslim should say when starting to fast each day. Rather he should simply have the intention that he is going to fast tomorrow. The intention is subject to the condition that it be made at night before the dawn comes because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Whoever does not intend to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi) According to a version narrated by al-Nasa’i: “Whoever does not intend to fast from the night before, there is no fast for him.” (Classed as hasan by al-Albani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

Marwan – meaning Ibn Salim Al-Muqaffa’ – said: “I saw Ibn ‘Umar take hold of his beard and trim whatever exceeded the palm. He said: The Prophet used to say when breaking his fast: “Dhahabaz-zama’u wabtallatil-‘uruqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha ‘Allah (The thirst is gone, and the veins are quenched, and the reward is assured – if Allah wills).” (Hasan) (Narrated by Abu Dawood; Ibn Hajar said in al-Talkhees al-Habeer: al-Daaraqutni said, its isnad is sahih)

It was reported from Husain, from Mu’adh bin Zahrah that he conveyed to him that the Prophet used to say when breaking fast: “Allahumma! Laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu (O Allah! For You I have fasted, and upon your provision, I have broken my fast).” (Da’if) (Narrated by Abu Dawood; It is a mursal hadith so it is da’eef (weak). Al-Albani classed it as da’eef in Da’if Abi Dawud)

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “There are three whose supplication is not rejected: The fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the supplication of the oppressed person…” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Graded Hasan)

(Most part of the above reply is based on the following resources:

  • Islamweb.net, a website belonging to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the State of Qatar
  • Various answers provided by Islamqa.info on similar topics)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam