The second question of Fatwa no. 7115 Q: A debate arose between me and some of my colleagues due to my mentioning that in Syria we fast Ramadan and on the night preceding ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) we have Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast) and then have breakfast only after offering ‘Eid Prayer. Is this permissible and is it to be considered completing the number of days in the month i.e. thirty days? Is it considered a day of Sawm (Fast)? Please, provide me with sufficient proofs based on the Book of Allah and the Hadith of the Messenger (peace be upon him). A: It is prohibited to fast on the day of the two ‘Eids. It is also not permissible to have Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast) on the night preceding ‘Eid-ul-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast) with the intention to fast that day so as to complete fasting thirty days. This is based on the Hadith recorded in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 
These are two days which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has forbidden the observing of Sawm (Fast) on them: the day when you break your fast (‘Eid-ul-Fitr) and the other day when you eat of your sacrifices (‘Eid-ul-Adha).
|
| (Part No. 10; Page No. 406) |
|
The Sunnah (action following the example of the Prophet) on ‘Eid-ul-Fitr is to eat some dates before going out to the Musalla (place for prayer) to offer Salat-ul-‘Eid (the Festival Prayer) based on the Hadith reported by Al-Tirmidhy from Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used not to go out (to the Musalla) on the Day of Al-Fitr (Breaking the Fast) except after eating and used not to eat on the Day of Al-Adha (Sacrifice) except after offering Salah (Prayer).May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions! The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ Source: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee
