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Iftar
إفطار / If-taar
Iftar is the meal Muslims eat at sunset to break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
What Is Iftar?
The Iftar meaning in Islam refers to the act of breaking the fast at Maghrib prayer time after abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset.
What Does Iftar Mean in Islam?
In Islam, Iftar is an important part of fasting during Ramadan. Muslims break their fast at sunset following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who commonly broke his fast with dates and water before performing the Maghrib prayer.
Iftar is both a spiritual and communal experience. Families, friends, and communities often gather together to share meals and thank Allah for the blessings of sustenance and faith. Mosques and charities also organize public Iftar meals to help those in need and strengthen community bonds.
The time of Iftar marks the completion of a day of fasting and worship. Muslims use this moment to make dua (supplication), express gratitude, and reflect on patience, self-discipline, and compassion for others.
Iftar meals vary across cultures and countries, but the spiritual purpose remains the same: breaking the fast in obedience to Allah and continuing the worship of Ramadan.