Every Muslim loves and respects the holy month of Ramadan. It is a month of patience and piety; along with abstinence from food from dawn and ends during dusk, Muslims are encouraged to abstain from extreme emotions like anger and immoral acts.
In addition, they must also engage in other acts of worship, such as reading the Quran and contributing to charity. However, the main focus of Ramadan is fasting, refraining from food to appreciate Allah’s bounties and empathize with the less fortunate people.
Since fasting is obligatory for every healthy Muslim in Ramadan, knowing the Dua for breaking the fast is crucial.
Duas of Ramadan
The sighting of the crescent moon leads to the beginning of the month of Ramadan. When you see a new moon, you should recite the following Dua:
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ
Transliteration: Allahu Akbar! Allahumma, ahillahi Alaina bil amni wali Imani was salamati wal islami wat taufiqilima tubhibbuwa-tardu. Rabbuna wa rabbukallah.
Translation in English: Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, let this crescent moon bring us peace, faith, safety, and Islam and bless us with succeeding in all that you love and that pleases you. Our Lord and your Lord is only Allah (SWT).
Dua for Keeping Fast
Before we cover the Dua for breaking fast, it is important that you get up for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) before the sun rises and the fast starts. Then, only when the sun sets can one enjoy Iftar (evening meal) by breaking their fast.
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Transliteration: Wa bisawmi-ghadinn nawaiytu min-shahri Ramadan.
Dua For Keeping Fast in English: I intend to fast tomorrow during Ramadan.
Dua for Breaking Fast
Before you break your fast, you must recite the following dua in Arabic or in English. Many people argue that the dua should only be recited in Arabic, but that is not true. Although Arabic is preferable, you can recite dua for breaking fast in English or any other language of your choice.
The purpose of this dua is to thank Allah and beseech Him to accept your fast, which can be done in any language.
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni-laka-sumtu, wa bika-aamantu, wa alayka tawakkaltu, wa ala rizqika-aftartu.
Dua For Breaking Fast in English: O Allah! I have fasted for You, and I believe in You and have put my trust in You, and I break the fast with what You have bestowed.
Dua for Breaking Fast in Ashura
Besides Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to fast throughout the year on notable Islamic days, especially during Ashura.
Ashura, or the “tenth day,” is the name given to the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Although Ashura is ascribed to the tragic martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family, the fast on Ashura predates this tragic incident.
According to Sahih Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) fasted on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to commemorate historic Islamic events such as the parting of the seas by Hazrat Musa and deliverance from the Pharaoh.
In Medina, the Jews fasted on the 10th of the Muharram to mark this day; the Prophet chose to fast on this day too as the day is of significance in Islam as well; however, he chose to fast on the 9th & 10th to differentiate from the Jews.
Here are a few Ahadith from verified sources that show that Allah’s messenger fasted on the day of the Ashur:
- It was narrated from `Ali (رضي الله عنه) that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to fast on the day of `Ashoora’ and enjoined others to do so – Musnad Ahmad 1069
- Narrated A’isha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) that the people used to fast on the day of ‘Ashura’ before fasting in Ramadan was prescribed but when (the order of compulsory fasting in) Ramadan was revealed, it was up to one to fast on it (i.e. ‘Ashura’) or not – Sahih al-Bukhari 4502
- Abu Qatadah narrated that the Prophet said: “Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.” – Jami` at-Tirmidhi 752
- According to Abu Hurairah that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said that “The best of fasts after Ramadan is in the Month of Muharram.” – Tirmidhi 740
Although the dua for opening the fast is the same whether it is in Ramadan or Ashura, there is one additional dua you can recite when opening the fast on Ashura:
Dua for Breaking Fast Ashura: Allahumma inni asaluka birtahmatikal latii wasiat kulla shayeen an-taghfira-lee.
Ashura Dua For Breaking Fast in English: O Allah! I ask You for Your forgiveness which encompasses everything so that You may forgive me.
Now You Know the Dua for Breaking Fast in Ramadan & Ashura
After you have finished reading our post, you will know what Dua you should make for breaking fast. It is obligatory for you to fast during Ramadan as long as you are healthy. However, unlike Ramadan, fasting on Ashura is not compulsory.
Whether in Ramadan or on Ashura, the spirit of fasting is to beseech Allah to forgive our sins and to curry his favor by abstaining from food, sins, and all immoral activities. The niyyah of the dua for fasting should be to ask Allah to accept our Ibadat and reward it.
