Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Eighth Lesson on Iftar – Part 8

By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 30 March 2023 Eighth Lesson on Iftar The fact that every good deed performed during Ramadan is multiplied by a variety of blessings and virtues is unquestionably a special blessing of the month. As an illustration, consider Sehri which is a pre-dawn meal. You have already seen the reward that is given on Sehri in the previous lesson if it is consumed with the intention of fasting. In the same vein, Iftaar, or breaking the fast is ostensibly done to relieve oneself of the discomforts of fasting. But it also contains mercy and benefits, as stated in the Sacred Hadith. The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), says: “The people will not cease to remain upon goodness so long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Sahih Bukhari vol. 1: p. 645) The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported as saying in another hadith: “My Ummah will not cease to be upon my Sunnah so long as they do not delay breaking their fast until the stars appear.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, p. 209) The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) says, Allah, the Exalted, says: The one who is most beloved to me among my servants is the one who hastens to break the fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: ‘This Deen (Islam) will always stay dominant, for as long as people will be prompt in Iftar, because the Jews and Christians delay (breaking their fasts)." (Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2. P. 446) The beloved Prophet is also reported to have said, "Whoever makes provisions for the Iftaar of a fasting person, for a Ghazi (Muslim soldier), for a pilgrim, or for his family behind him, he will receive the same reward without any reduction." Virtue of Making Provisions for Iftaar When addressing the merit of providing food for the Iftaar to a person who is fasting, also make reference to the following hadith: “The person who offers Halaal food or water for Iftaar, the Angels make Dua-e-Istighfar for him throughout the entire month of Ramadan, and the Angel Jibraeel (peace be upon him) prays for forgiveness for him on the night of Qadr.” (Tabarani, Mujam al-Kabeer, Volume: 2. Page: 262) One narration states that the person who offers Iftaar (to someone) in Ramadan from Halaal earnings, then the Angels send Durood (blessings) upon him during all the nights of Ramadan, and Jibraeel shakes hands with him on the Night of Qadr. The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) makes the following statement when describing the virtue of providing water to someone who is fasting: "Whoever offers water to a fasting person, Allah will give him water from my Hauz (pond), so that he will not be thirsty till he enters Paradise." (Sahih Ibn Khuzaimah, Volume: 3. Page: 192) What Should Be Used To Break The Fast? The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “One of you should break his fast (make Iftaar) with dates or dried dates since it is a blessing; if you cannot obtain dates then break your fast with water because it is a purifier (cleanser).” (Tirmidhi, Vol.2, p.162) Dua Is Accepted During The Moment Of Breaking The Fast The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “Indeed, the supplication of a fasting person is not rejected at the moment of breaking the fast.” (Targhib, Vol. 2, p. 35) The supplication of three persons is not rejected: (1) the fasting person at the time of breaking the fast, (2) the righteous ruler, and (3) the oppressed. After Allah the Exalted elevates their supplications above the clouds, the gates of heaven are opened for these three, at which moment Allah the Exalted says, "I swear on my honour! I'll certainly assist you, even if it takes some time.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, p. 349) Dua For Iftaar There are two well-known Duas (supplications) in the hadiths for breaking the fast. The following is the first Dua: اللَّھُمَّ لَکَ صُمْتُ،وَبِکَ اَمَنْتُ وَعَلٰی رِزْقِکَ أَفْطَرْت۔ O Allah! I fasted for you, and I broke the fast with sustenance provided by You. [Abu Dawud] The following is a second Dua: ذَھَبَ الظَّمَأُ، وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّہ۔ “Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is certain if Allah wills.”[Abu Dawud] When Should One Recite The Dua For Iftaar? The second Dua, as noted above, is generally agreed upon by scholars to be recited following the fast. About the first Dua, the hadiths are unclear as to whether it should be recited before or after breaking the fast. The three possible things have been indicated by a variety of terms in various hadiths. According to certain hadiths this Dua should most likely be recited prior to Iftaar, while some hadiths indicate that it should be recited in the middle of Iftaar, and still others suggest that it should be recited after Iftaari. Reciting this Dua after breaking the fast is not Sunnah, hence insisting on one saying is incorrect. Moreover, neither the person who recites this Dua before Iftaari nor the one who recites it after Iftaari should be forbidden from or criticised for doing so. In fact, some have assumed that reading this Dua is only permitted after breaking a fast because it uses past tense verbs—for example, "I broke Fast with food provided by You". Arabic grammar does not mandate it, in reality. Instead, the past tense is occasionally employed in the structure of Arabic language to describe events that are going to occur or are almost certain to occur very soon. In the words of the Iqamah, for instance, we can observe that it is said, "Qad Qamat al-Salaat," which translates as, "The establishment of Salah has begun," even if the prayer has not yet begun. But, a little time later, after reciting "Takbeer-e-Tahreema," the prayer is initiated. Following the construction of the rows and thorough preparation, the prayer will almost certainly be established; for this reason, it is stated in Iqamah that the process of the prayer has started. Similarly, reading this Dua at the time of breaking the fast is correct according to Arabic language norms when breaking the fast becomes imminent and almost certain to occur very soon and the fasting individual starts to break the fast at that time. The hadiths mentioned in this lesson affirm that the month of Ramadan is one for amassing good deeds; hence, it is essential to gather them meticulously and with great interest in order to prevent experiencing regret at the conclusion of the month. May God grant us the ability to do so during this wonderful month! Aameen (Continued) Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president, founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Darul Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Previous Articles: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Welcome to Ramadan and First Lesson on the Virtues of Ramadan Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Second Lesson on the Respect of Ramadan – Part 2 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Third Lesson On The Horrific Consequences Of Desecrating Ramadan – Part 3 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Fourth Lesson on the Fasting Of Ramadan and its Intention – Part 4 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Lessons Five and Six on the Rulings (Ahkaam) And Laws (Masaail) Of Taraweeh Part 5 and 6 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Seventh Lesson On Sehri [Pre-Dawn Meal] Part 7 URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/lessons-ramadan-iftar-part-8/d/129441 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism