Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
The fasting devotees are passing the days of Rahmat (mercy).
Taking of meal for fasting is called ‘Sahri.’ Fasting begins after Sahri in the last part of night. It should be completed before ‘Subhe Sadeq.’ Sunnah-e-Nabawi directs us to take at
least a light meal, or a glass of water at Sahri, if one has no hunger at all. However, meal, according to requirement, is a must. Rasulullah (Sm) said,
“Take the meal of Sahri, because in it lies abundance.” (Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif)
The time of Sahri according to the Holy Quran, is : “…….and eat and drink, until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn” (verse 187, Sura Baqarah, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthal)
In this Ayat, the time of Sahri and Iftar is presented for the guidance of those who observe fasting, Sahri and Fazr prayer come one after another. But there is a distinct border between the two. Hazrat Zayed bin Sabet (Ra) said.
“We took our Sahri with Rasulullah (Sm) and then stood for (Fazr) prayer.”
Sahri should be completed before Subhe Sadeq. It should not depend on the Azan of Fazr.
The Holy Quran describes the time of breaking the fast as follows :
“…Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall.” (Sura Baqarah 2:187, do) The nightfall is after the sunset and this is the time of ‘Iftar’-breaking of fast.
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) said, “Human beings will remain in the well-being till they take Iftar at the fixed time.” So, there is no reason to be late and ‘Iftar’ should be just after the sunset. The time of Iftar is very important for acceptance of supplication of the devotees. So, it is better to seek the blessings of Allah at that moment. Rasulullah (Sm) said, “Allah accepts the prayer of the fasting people at the time of Iftar.” (Abu Daud Sharif)
According to the Hadith of Bukhari Sharif:
“Fasting person has two joys : One at the time of Iftar after completion of the fasting hours and the second is the meeting with the Lord of the Universe.”
The virtue of entertaining with Iftary-drink and snacks has been described in the Hadith. In our society Iftary takes the picture of festivity.
As the fasting is a ritual on physical self-restraint, and as it introduces us with the pangs of sufferings of the poor and the distressed, the Iftary needs to be an entertainment of the destitute everyday by the well-to-do section of the society, observing fasts.
The fasting devotees are passing the days of Rahmat (mercy).
Taking of meal for fasting is called ‘Sahri.’ Fasting begins after Sahri in the last part of night. It should be completed before ‘Subhe Sadeq.’ Sunnah-e-Nabawi directs us to take at
least a light meal, or a glass of water at Sahri, if one has no hunger at all. However, meal, according to requirement, is a must. Rasulullah (Sm) said,
“Take the meal of Sahri, because in it lies abundance.” (Bukhari Sharif, Muslim Sharif)
The time of Sahri according to the Holy Quran, is : “…….and eat and drink, until the white thread becometh distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn” (verse 187, Sura Baqarah, The Meanings of the Glorious Quran by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthal)
In this Ayat, the time of Sahri and Iftar is presented for the guidance of those who observe fasting, Sahri and Fazr prayer come one after another. But there is a distinct border between the two. Hazrat Zayed bin Sabet (Ra) said.
“We took our Sahri with Rasulullah (Sm) and then stood for (Fazr) prayer.”
Sahri should be completed before Subhe Sadeq. It should not depend on the Azan of Fazr.
The Holy Quran describes the time of breaking the fast as follows :
“…Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall.” (Sura Baqarah 2:187, do) The nightfall is after the sunset and this is the time of ‘Iftar’-breaking of fast.
Hazrat Muhammad (Sm) said, “Human beings will remain in the well-being till they take Iftar at the fixed time.” So, there is no reason to be late and ‘Iftar’ should be just after the sunset. The time of Iftar is very important for acceptance of supplication of the devotees. So, it is better to seek the blessings of Allah at that moment. Rasulullah (Sm) said, “Allah accepts the prayer of the fasting people at the time of Iftar.” (Abu Daud Sharif)
According to the Hadith of Bukhari Sharif:
“Fasting person has two joys : One at the time of Iftar after completion of the fasting hours and the second is the meeting with the Lord of the Universe.”
The virtue of entertaining with Iftary-drink and snacks has been described in the Hadith. In our society Iftary takes the picture of festivity.
As the fasting is a ritual on physical self-restraint, and as it introduces us with the pangs of sufferings of the poor and the distressed, the Iftary needs to be an entertainment of the destitute everyday by the well-to-do section of the society, observing fasts.
