Iftar

What is Iftar?

Iftar (Arabic الإفطار, "breaking the fast") is the meal with which a fasting Muslim opens the fast at sunset (the entry of Maghrib time). It marks the joyous close of a day of fasting during Ramadan or on any voluntary fast, and is one of the two moments the Prophet ﷺ singled out as sources of joy for the fasting person.

How the Prophet ﷺ Broke the Fast

The Sunnah of iftar has a clear pattern:

1. Hasten — break the fast as soon as sunset is confirmed. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The people will remain upon good as long as they hasten the iftar" (Bukhari 1957).
2. Begin with dates or water — Anas reported: "The Prophet ﷺ used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if there were none, with dry dates; if there were none, he took some sips of water" (Abu Dawud 2356).
3. Say the du'a — a widely recommended supplication: "Dhahaba'z-zama'u wa'btalati'l-'uruqu wa thabata'l-ajru insha'Allah" ("The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills") (Abu Dawud 2357).
4. Pray Maghrib, then complete the main meal.

The Special Reward at Iftar

The Prophet ﷺ said: "The fasting person has two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast and one when he meets his Lord" (Muslim 1151). He ﷺ also taught: "There is a supplication for the fasting person at his iftar that is not rejected" (Ibn Majah 1753, hasan) — meaning du'a at the moment of iftar is especially accepted.

Feeding Others at Iftar

Providing iftar to another fasting person carries an immense reward: "Whoever gives iftar to a fasting person will have the same reward as him, without anything being reduced from the reward of the fasting person" (Tirmidhi 807, sahih). This is why community iftars in mosques and homes are cherished throughout the Muslim world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I break my fast before sunset by mistake?

If the mistake was genuine — such as thinking the sun had set when it had not — the majority of scholars say the fast is still valid and does not need to be made up, based on the leniency the Sharia grants for honest error. Some Hanafi jurists, however, require making up the day out of caution.

Can I keep fasting past sunset if I'm not hungry?

No — this is called wisal (continuous fasting) and was discouraged by the Prophet ﷺ, who said: "Do not continue your fast; break it when night comes" (Bukhari 1961). Breaking the fast promptly at Maghrib is itself an act of obedience.