*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
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