Question
Is this correct?
When breaking your fast, break it with honey. Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to like sweet edible things and honey.”
Answer
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) certainly encouraged consuming honey and liked to consume it himself. The Hadith cited in the question is recorded in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith: 5431). However, it is general and does not state that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) opened his fast with honey.
I have not come across a Hadith which states that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) opened his fast with honey. In fact, it is Sunnah to open the fast with dates as Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recommended this as well as practised upon this:
1) Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported: “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would open his fast with fresh dates before performing Maghrib Salah. If fresh dates were not available, then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would open his fast with dry dates. If dry dates were not found, then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would open his fast with a few sips of water.”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 696 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2348)
2) Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one of you breaks his fast, then let him do so with dates, for there is divine blessing in it. If dates are not available, break your fast with water, as it is pure.”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 658-695)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar