Many Muslims often wonder about the daily routine of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during Ramadan. How did he fast? What did he eat for Suhoor? How did he break his fast? How did he spend his day?
According to some narrations, the Prophet ﷺ would intend to fast each day on its own. He would have Suhoor with one of his wives, eating a small amount of food—often dates or something light—along with water. Sometimes, he would have Suhoor with his companions, as narrated in an authentic Hadith where he shared Suhoor with Zaid bin Haritha (may Allah be pleased with him). After Suhoor, he would pray for the duration it takes to recite about fifty verses of the Qur’an, waiting until the call for Fajr prayer.
Then, the Prophet ﷺ would perform two light Rak’ahs of Sunnah before Fajr prayer, waiting in his home until Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) sought permission to call the Iqamah. He would then leave his chambers, which were adjacent to the Masjid, and lead the people in Fajr prayer.
Morning Worship and Household Duties
After Fajr, he would remain in the Masjid remembering Allah until sunrise. He would then wait for about twenty minutes or more and pray two Rak’ahs, encouraging his companions to do the same, stating that whoever does so will receive the reward of a complete Hajj and Umrah.
At home, the Prophet ﷺ would engage with his wives, assisting them with household tasks and showing them affection and care, particularly during Ramadan. As Maghrib approached, he would engage in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and supplication. When the Adhan for Maghrib was called, he would ask his wives to bring him his Iftar. He would break his fast before praying, following the practice of eating fresh dates; if none were available, he would eat dry dates, and if those were unavailable, he would drink a few sips of water. Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to break his fast with fresh dates before performing Maghrib prayer. If no fresh dates were available, he would eat dry dates. If there were no dry dates, he would take a few sips of water.”
After breaking his fast, he would perform Maghrib prayer in the Masjid, then return home to pray the Sunnah of Maghrib and spend time with his family. When the Adhan for Isha was called, he would pray the Sunnah before Isha at home, then go to the Masjid to lead the people in prayer.
The Prophet’s ﷺ Night Prayers in Ramadan
The Prophet ﷺ prayed Taraweeh with his companions in the Masjid three times, but he later prayed at home to avoid it becoming obligatory upon the Ummah. After leading Isha prayer, he would stand in night prayer for as long as Allah willed. His prayers were long, filled with devotion and reflection.
When Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the Prophet’s ﷺ night prayers in Ramadan, she said: “He never exceeded eleven Rak’ahs in Ramadan or otherwise. He would pray four, and do not ask about their beauty and length. Then he would pray another four, and do not ask about their beauty and length. Then he would pray three (Witr).”
After praying, he would sleep before performing Witr. When Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked, “O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before praying Witr?” He replied, “O Aisha, my eyes sleep, but my heart does not.”
The Prophet’s ﷺ Devotion in Ramadan
Throughout Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ dedicated himself to reciting the Qur’an, engaging in prayer, Dhikr, charity, and fasting. He ate very little, teaching the Ummah that Ramadan is not about indulgence in food but about worship and self-discipline. His patience with hunger was exemplary, reminding the believers that Ramadan is a month of devotion, not excess.
As the last ten days of Ramadan arrived, he intensified his acts of worship, gathering his wives and daughters to pray together at night. He would perform night prayers, then spend time with his family, have Suhoor, pray the Sunnah of Fajr at home, and then lead the congregation in Fajr prayer at the Masjid.
The Prophet ﷺ was particularly generous in Ramadan, increasing his charitable acts to an extraordinary degree. The companions described his generosity during this month as “a swift, unstoppable wind,” highlighting how freely and quickly he gave to the poor and needy.
I’tikaf in the Last Ten Days
During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ would seclude himself in the Masjid for I’tikaf, seeking Laylatul Qadr. In the final year of his life, he extended his I’tikaf to twenty days. He urged his companions to search for Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights, stating: “Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.” He further advised: “I have seen that your dreams converge on the last ten nights, so whoever wants to seek it, let them do so in these nights.”
One of the most beautiful aspects of the Prophet’s ﷺ Ramadan routine was his emphasis on supplication. As narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), she asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah, if I encounter Laylatul Qadr, what should I say?” He replied, “Say: O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
He would wake his family for prayer in the last ten nights, ensuring they did not miss the opportunity to worship. Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet ﷺ would wake his family in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”
The Prophet ﷺ as a Role Model for Families
The Prophet ﷺ exemplified how a husband should be concerned with his family’s religious growth, rather than merely focusing on their material needs. Allah commands in the Qur’an: “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Surah At-Tahrim: 6).
The Prophet ﷺ set an example for husbands by encouraging their families towards acts of obedience, rather than just ensuring their worldly comfort. He taught his Ummah that true leadership within the home means prioritizing faith, devotion, and connection with Allah.
May Allah grant us the ability to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet ﷺ in this blessed month of Ramadan. Ameen.
