YEAR 1441 RAMADAN DAY 1 What have you learnt?

*RAMADAN DAY 1*

*What have you learnt?*

Alhamdulilah! Alhamdulilah!! Alhamdulilah!!!

We thank Almighty Allah to spare our lives to witness this miraculous month (Ramadan). Brothers and sisters in Islam.

I just want to remind myself and yours about Suhoor and iftar.

It is common to have one meal (known as Suhoor), just before sunrise and another (known as Iftar), directly after sunset. The breaking of the fast (Iftar) usually consists of dates, following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan strengthens the community: Muslims invite one another for the Iftar meals, and thereby create concern and friendship among neighbors, families and friends. Many people also take Iftar to the mosque and share it with the wider community, especially the poor and needy.

Suhoor is anything eatable that's halal. You can't drink water as your Suhoor at least try to eat some food, because its Sunnah of beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). It's compulsory to break your fasting before performing Magrib prayer. Do not wait for the muadthin before you break your fasting until the sunset, you are free to break your fasting. Beware! Using cold water to break your fasting is not advisable but you can use water to break it. Use fresh date or any fruit that's available to break your fasting.

Significance of Suhoor and Iftar during Ramadan in the light of Hadiths

The blessed month of Ramadan is all about fasting and following the commands of Allah Almighty. Fasting is not just abstaining from eating or drinking but to refrain from all inappropriate activities for the sake of Allah (SWT). There are countless opportunities to take advantage of during this holy month and Muslims seek repentance for past sins as well as become more pious for getting closer to Allah Almighty. The act of fasting is not only filled with blessings and rewards but it is also a shield against sins and hell-fire in the hereafter. The significance of fasting is stated in hadith in these words: ‘Allah says: “Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. And I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.”’ (Bukhari).

There are two important aspects of fasting: Suhur and Iftar that have great significance to Muslims.

Allah, the Most Merciful has blessed us with two meals Suhur and Iftar during this holy month of fasting so we could recharge ourselves. Iftar and Suhoor are the most important meals of Ramadan and we should enlighten ourselves about the meals to reap the best out of it.

*Suhoor*

Muslims commences fast early morning at dawn just before the sunrise with a meal known as Suhoor. The Prophet (PBUH) told us about the blessings and virtue of Suhoor in these words: “Have Suhoor for verily there is a blessing in it.” (Abu Dawood)

An essential part of Suhoor is making the intention to fast. Having Suhoor is Sunnah and one must try hard to have Suhoor even if it includes some dates and a sip of water. “Whoever does not have the intention of fasting before Fajr, there is no fast for him.” (Ahmad)

Suhoor is the right time to eat up a meal and fill yourself adequately so that you can fast throughout the day. Suhoor is also a blessed time, the third part of the night and the best time to pray to Allah (SWT), make dua and seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah.

*Dua for Suhur*

بِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Translation: “I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.”

*Iftar*

Iftar is an Arabic word, which literally means ‘to break’. Iftar is the meal with which Muslims break their fast at sunset. After a long day of fasting, Iftar is the moment that the believers look forward to. It is the moment that Muslims have not only fulfilled their hunger and quenched the thirst but also fulfilled an obligation for the sake of Allah Almighty. So, we should invite others for iftar as it promotes unity and companionship, and in the end, everyone will have a sense of contentment, and that is a blessing.

Performing Iftar is an act that brings blessings for Muslims. It is said that Allah (SWT) will open the gates of forgiveness for those who help fast observers in acquiring adequate Iftar to break their fast at this time. It is Sunnah to break the fast with dates. Iftar is the time to make supplications that you would not want to miss out. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When the fasting person breaks his fast, his supplication is not turned back.” (Ibn Majah)

*Dua for Iftar*

اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّی لَکَ صُمْتُ وَبِکَ اٰمَنْتُ وَعَلَيْکَ تَوَکَّلْتُ وَعَلٰی رِزْقِکَ اَفْطَرْتُ

Translation: “O Allah! I fasted for you and I believe in you and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with your sustenance.”

May Allah Almighty accept our fast and blessed

May Almighty Allah reward us abundantly and accept our Ibadaah. Ameen