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Breaking the fast is what iftar means in Arabic. As the sun dips below the horizon at Maghrib, Muslims begin their evening meal after a day without food or drink, whether in Ramadan or another time they are fasting. This term traces back to the root word faṭara - meaning to split open or release. Before daylight returns, there's Suhoor, the early morning bite that happens just prior - the mirror moment to iftar. Dates and water often mark the first taste, honoring how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to start, then people move into the rest of dinner slowly.
When the sun dips below the horizon, Muslims begin their evening meal known as Iftar. This practice takes place during Ramadan or other times they choose to fast. The term traces back to an Arabic word meaning to break or open something. As daylight fades, the call to Maghrib prayer signals it is time to start eating.
Traditionally, Muslims break their fast with dates and water, following the practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. After that, they may eat a full meal with different kinds of food, depending on their culture and country.
Why do we have Iftar (إفطار)?
Evening brings relief when the day's fasting ends in Ramadan. From sunrise onward, waiting teaches steadiness, restraint, people find deeper connection to faith. Hunger reminds some of others’ hardships throughout the year. Gratitude rises at dusk, thanks given for energy endured and food now shared. Sharing meals brings people close, especially when evenings settle in. Moments like these often include quiet thoughts, alongside laughter around a table full of dishes. Gratitude shows up not in words alone, but in the way everyone leans in to listen. Prayer ties it together, softly weaving through conversation and silence alike. Eating matters less than who sits beside you, hands open, hearts slower.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٨٣
O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was for those before you so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. Holy Quran 2:183
أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۚ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍۢ ۖ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ١٨٤
˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days.1 But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty,2 compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew. Holy Quran 2:184
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ١٨٥
Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. Holy Quran 2:185
What you need to do:
Breaking the Fast with Dates: It's recommended to break your fast with dates and water, following the practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He said: "When any of you breaks his fast, let him do so with dates; if he does not have any, then with water, for indeed, water is a purifier." (Tirmidhi)
Dates are rich in nutrients, helping to restore energy quickly after a long day of fasting. Water is also important to rehydrate the body after hours without drinking.
Visit this link to find these verses from the Quran! https://quran.com/
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