𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 18 | 18 Sha’bān 1444H

In this lesson we will mention some important issues related to Ifṭār. This lesson will be presented in a Q&A format Q1. What is Ifṭār? Ifṭār originates from Fiṭr, which is the opposite of Ṣawm. We say: 'Afṭara fulān' if someone breaks their fast and leaves the state of Ṣawm through eating, drinking or any other invalidator. Q2. When is one required to break their fast? Ibn Abī Awfā raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu narrated: “We were in the company of Allāh's Messenger (ﷺ) on a journey. He said to a man, 'Get down and mix Sawīq (powdered barley) with water for me.' The man said, 'The sun [*] O Allāh's Messenger (ﷺ).' The Prophet (ﷺ) again said to him, 'Get down and mix Sawīq with water for me.' The man again said, 'O Allāh's Messenger (ﷺ)! The sun!' The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him (for the third time) 'Get down and mix Sawīq with water for me.' The man dismounted and mixed Sawīq with water for him. The Prophet (ﷺ) drank it and then signalled with his hand (towards the East) and said, 'When you see the night approaching from this side, it is time for the fasting person to break his fast.'” [Bukhāri & Muslim]] [*] footnote: Although the sun had already set, the man assumed that the remaining light also had to disappear before one is allowed to break their fast. This is why he hesitated to prepare the drink. [mentioned by Al-Qurṭubi in Al-Mufhim (9/120)] Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said: “When the night approaches from this side (i.e. the East) and the day retreats from this side (i.e. the West) and the sun sets, then the time for Ifṭār has entered.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] Ibn Rajab raḥimahullāh said: “This ḥadīth as well as the previous one both indicate that the mere disappearance of the [sun's] disk signifies the entrance of Maghrib prayer and the time for Ifṭār; this is a matter of consensus amongst the people of knowledge, as relayed by Ibn Al-Mundhir and others.” [Fat-ḥ Al-Bāri (4/352)] Therefore, the time for Ifṭār begins at sunset, and ends at dawn break - when the next day's fast begins. The fasting person must break his fast within this time period because the Prophet ﷺ prohibited fasting for consecutive days without eating in between (Al-Wiṣāl); as narrated by Abū Hurairah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu. [Bukhāri & Muslim] Likewise, he ﷺ said: “That (Al-Wiṣāl) is the practice of the Christians, rather you must fast as Allāh The Exalted has commanded; and complete the fast until nightfall. When it is nightfall, break your fast.” [Reported by Aḥmad & others with an authentic chain] 🔺Note: The scholars differed with regards to Al-Wiṣāl, however, most of them (Al-Jumhūr) saw it to be impermissible. Q3. When is the preferred time to break the fast? The Prophet ﷺ said: “The people will continue to be on the right path so long as they hasten to break their fast (i.e. when the sun has set).” [Bukhāri & Muslim] It may be assumed that one attains a greater reward for enduring hunger by delaying Ifṭār, but this Deen is not based on intellect & assumptions. It is based on revelation; so whatever the Prophet ﷺ did, we do according to our ability, and whatever he left off, we stay away from that. Thus, the Sunnah is to break the fast at the earliest possible time, which is once the sun has set. Q4. What are the virtues of hastening to break the fast? (1) You will be rewarded for implementing the Sunnah (2) Hastening to break the fast is a sign of goodness in this Ummah. (3) You will be rewarded for being distinct from Ahlul-Kitāb The Prophet ﷺ said: “Islām will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians delay doing so.” [Abū Dāwūd - graded 'Ṣaḥīḥ' by Sheikh Muqbil in 'Al-Jāmi’ Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥ] 🔺Note: Ibn Abdil-Barr said: “Hastening to break the fast is only if a person is certain that the sun has set. It is not permissible for anyone to break their fast if they are doubtful as to whether the sun has set or not; because anyone who enters the state of fasting upon certainty cannot exit [this state] except upon certainty.” [At-Tamheed]