Iftar and Fasting
Break it promptly
“The people will remain upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957). Anas reported that the Prophet ﷺ would break his fast with fresh dates, or dried dates, or else sips of water (Sunan Abu Dawud 2356).
A sequence that works
- Dates and water at the Adhan.
- Pray Maghrib.
- Return to a moderate main meal — soup, protein, vegetables and a whole grain.
- Sip fluid steadily through the evening rather than in one go.
Common mistakes
Eating everything at once causes bloating and drowsiness that ruins Taraweeh; deep-fried starters and sugary drinks are the usual culprits. Save dessert for later in the evening if you want it.
Feeding others
“Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like his” (Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 807) — sharing Iftar is one of the easiest good deeds of the month.
Attribution: the rulings summarised here are the positions recorded in the classical schools and the well known hadith collections. They are presented for information, not as a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar in your community.
Frequently asked questions
What dua is said at Iftar?
A widely reported wording is “Dhahaba az-zama’ wabtallat al-‘urooq wa thabata al-ajru in sha’ Allah” (Sunan Abu Dawud 2357). See our Iftar dua page for the full text and reference.
Should I pray Maghrib before or after eating?
The Sunnah is to break the fast lightly with dates and water first, then pray, then eat the main meal.
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