It was also his practice, when two witnesses testified to having sighted the crescent after the time for the Eid prayer had passed, to break his fast and instruct the people to do likewise, then perform the Eid prayer at its appointed time the following day (1).

He would hasten to break his fast and encourage others to do so (2). He would eat the pre-dawn meal and urge others to eat it (3), delaying it (4) and encouraging others to delay it (5).

He would encourage breaking the fast with dates, or with water if dates were unavailable. This reflected his utmost compassion for his community and concern for their welfare. Giving the body something sweet on an empty stomach makes it more receptive to it and allows its faculties to benefit from it, especially the faculty of sight, which is strengthened by it (6). Dates are the sweet food of Medina, and its people are brought up on them. They serve both as a staple food and as an accompaniment to bread, while fresh dates are eaten as fruit.

As for water, fasting causes a degree of dryness in the liver, so when it is moistened with water