10 Things You Should Know About Sehri And Iftar

Every Muslim knows the importance of the fasting month called Ramadan during which Muslims fast daily from sehri to iftar and they fulfill the orders of almighty Allah in this ninth month. This period of fasting includes two important meals: the sehri meal before the fajr prayer and the iftar meal When the Maghrib call to adhan begins.

This is a fact that many Muslims do not know about the things we should know about sehri and iftar and it is crucial for all people in the world to seek knowledge about it. This is why we give you a complete guide including prophet muhammad pbuh hadith as well that opens the doors of knowledge about these two meals. 

So, let’s get started with the most demanding topic:

What are sehri and iftar in Islam?

As we mentioned above: Now we should know first what is the meaning of sehri and iftar:

• Sehri: Sehr means the last sixth part of the night and eating and drinking for fasting in the last part of the night is called sehri.
• Iftar: iftar means breaking the fast. Breaking the fast as soon as the sun sets is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

5 Things you should know about sehri

Note: For every ayat and hadith we give an explanation and meaning related to sehri and iftar(which means we not write the translation as it is.)

1. Blessing in Suhoor

There are many hadiths related to Suhoor, in which the Prophet Muhammad pbuh ordered to eat Suhoor and also stated that there is a blessing in it. Even if it is only a sip of water and he said that Allah and His angels send supplications to those who take sehri.

Sahih bukhari 1923, Sahih muslim 1095, sunan nisai 2162, musnad ahmad 23113 etc

2. Difference between our fasts and those of the People of the Book

The first ummahs, i.e. the Jews and the Christians, who are called people of the book in the Quran and hadith, the difference between them and us is eating suhoor, because in the first ummahs, it was not allowed to eat suhoor during fasting and they were forbidden, but this is the blessing of Allah, they reward us sehri. 

For the People of the Book, it was forbidden to eat after going to bed at night, but it was blessed for us, so we must eat suhoor while opposing the Jews and Christians so that this reward is given to us by Allah Almighty.

Sahih muslim: 1096

3. Virtue of eating dates at Suhoor

The third thing about Suhoor that every Muslim should know is that eating dates at Suhoor is also a virtue and there is a blessed hadith of the Prophet Pbuh, in which he said that the Dates are the best sehri of believers and this is a tradition of Sunan Abu Dawud 2345.

4. Virtue of delaying Suhoor

Many Muslims give up their food when the azan fajr starts, this is not correct according to hadith.  

So, The fourth thing that Muslims should understand is that if the call to prayer is given and you are eating suhoor, then do not give up food immediately, but eat it quickly and fulfill your need.

Sahih muslim: 617

5. Dua and intention of Suhri

There is a famous and well-known hadith of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) in which he narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: Indeed, actions depend on intentions. 

Sahih bukhari: hadith 1

There is no dua for Suhoor in order to fast. 

The words have nothing to do with intention. The intention should be made in the heart at night, because if the intention is not made, then the fast will not take place.

5 Things you should know about iftar

6. Hurry to break the fast

Now let’s talk about breaking the fast, which is an important part of Ramadan Kareem, and this specific time Muslims break their fast. 

All Muslims must understand that it is the hadith Prophet Muhammad pbuh we give you the meaning:  

The religion of Islam prevails over the enemies as long as those who are Muslims continue to hurry in breaking the fast. Some people delay it because delaying is the way of Jews and Christians.

Sunan abu dawood: 2353

7. Acceptance of dua at the time of breaking the fast

First of all, let me tell here that the supplication of breaking the fast is proven by authentic hadith, and before that, you should keep in mind that the time of breaking the fast is a time about which there is a decree in a hadith of the Holy Prophet PBUH:  the dua of a fasting person is not rejected at the time of (iftar).

Ibn e maja: 1753

8. Dates and water

Now, another question arises: what should be eaten at the time of breaking the fast, which is mustahab? What did the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to do when he broke his fast? What was the first thing he ate?

Our Prophet (pbuh) like dates and they break their fast with it. If there were no dates, he would break his fast with water. This is the Sunnah method.

 Abu dawood: 2355

9. Dua for breaking the fast

There are many iftar duas that are read in our society, but it is a weak hadith. Among them, one of the correct dua that is authentic that the Prophet muhammad pbuh used to recite at the time of breaking the fast is as follows:

Iftar Dua 

10. The reward for the one who breaks the fast 

The last thing that every Muslim should know is what is the virtue of a person breaking the fast of another Muslim. The great virtue of this has been described in the hadith. If a person breaks the fast of a fasting person, he will be given a reward equal to that fasting person or guest.

Byhaqi: 3953

Conclusion

In conclusion,Sehri and Iftar are not merely meals but integral components of Ramadan mubarak, embodying the spirit of self-discipline, gratitude, and community. Understanding the significance of these rituals enriches the fasting experience for Muslims and encourages appreciation for Islamic traditions among non-Muslims.

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