It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever has dates should break his fast with them, and whoever does not find any should break his fast with water, for water is a means of purification." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Salman bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; and if he does not find dates, then with water, for water is a means of purification." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Bukhari, but the two Shaykhs did not record it, and it also has a supporting narration (shahid) on the condition of Imam Muslim.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to break his fast with a few fresh dates before performing the (Maghrib) prayer; if they were not available, then with dry dates; and if those were not available either, he would take a few sips of water.