What is Sehri?
Dawn (Sehr) means ‘secrecy’, ‘concealment’ and ‘hidden’, which is why it is called ‘Sehr’ – because it is hidden. Dawn is also called this because the light of that time of the morning is hidden by the darkness of the night.
Crying and Beseeching at the Time of Sehri
Allah Ta’ala has stated in the Holy Qur’an,
“…those who seek forgiveness in the latter part of the night.” (Surah Aal e Imran, Verse 17)
Some commentators state that this verse refers to those people who perform the Tahajjud Prayer, while others state that it refers to those who wake up early and seek forgiveness. Due to the fact that there is a lack of worldly noise at that time, the heart is peaceful, Allah Ta’ala’s Mercy descends at that time, and that is why it is better to seek forgiveness and repent at that time. Seeking forgiveness and repenting at that time has always been the practice of the pious bondmen of Allah Ta’ala. Due to daily work and business, we do not have the time to wake up every morning to seek forgiveness and repent. However, in the month of Ramadhan, we awake early every morning for Sehri and we should, at a minimum, perform at least two Rak’ats voluntary Prayers and prostrate in the Court of the Lord. We should then seek forgiveness and join those who are seeking forgiveness at the time of Sehri.
9 Sayings of Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam
(1) “Eat sahari because it is blessed (food).” (Sahih Bukhari, V1, P633, Hadith 1923)
(2) The difference between us and the people of the book (Ahl al-Kitab) lies in sehri.” (Sahih Muslim, P552, Hadith 1096)
(3) “Allah azwajal and His Angels send mercy upon the people who eat sahari.” (Sahih ibn Habban, V5, P194, Hadith 3458)
(4) When Beloved Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam used to call one of his companions to eat sahari with him he would say, “Come (and) eat the blessed food”. (Sunan Abi Dawood, V2, P442, Hadith 2344)
(5) “Eat sahari to gain strength for fast and take rest (siesta) in the afternoon to gain strength for worshipping at night.” (Sunan Ibne- Maja, V2, P321, Hadith 1693)
(6) Sahari is a blessing that Allah azwajal has granted you (therefore) do not leave it.” (Suna-nul-Kubra-Nasai, V2, P79, Hadith 2472)
(7) There are three people who Insha-Allah azwajal will not be held accountable (for what they eat) no matter how much they eat, if the food is Halal: (a) A fasting person at the time of Iftar, (b) The one who eats at sahari and (c) A warrior that protects the Islamic border in the path of Allah azwajal. (At’targheeb Wat’tarheeb, V2, P90, Hadith 9)
(8) Sahari is full of blessings, so do not miss it even if you drink just a sip of water. Allah azwajal and His angels send mercy upon the people who do sahari. (Musnad Imam Ahmad, V4, P88, Hadith 11396)
This is why our prophet Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam called it a “blessed breakfast”.
(9) Sayyiduna Irbaad bin Saariyah Radiallaho Anhu narrated that once The Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam called him to eat sahari with him during the month of Ramadan saying: “Come for a blessed breakfast”. (Sunan Abi Dawood, V2, P442, Hadith 2344)
Eating Sahari with Dates and Water is Sunnah
Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik Radiallaho Anhu said that Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam used to say to me at the time of sahari, “I intend to fast, give me something to eat”, so I used to give him some dates and water in a cup. (Suna-nul-Kubra-Nasai, V2, P80, Hadith 2477)
Dates are a Great Sahari
We learnt that eating sahari is a sunnah and doing sahari with dates and water is another sunnah. Our Dear prophet Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has also encouraged us to eat dates for sahari. Sayyiduna Saa’ib bin Yazeed Radiallaho Anhu narrates that
Beloved Prophet Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said:
“Dates are an excellent sahari” (At’targheeb Wat’tarheeb, V2, P90, Hadith 12)
He Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam also said
“For a believer dates are a great sahari” (Sunan Abi Dawood, V2, P443, Hadith 2345)
Intention (Niyyah) for Fasting
The intention of heart (willingness in heart) is, in fact, a valid intention. Verbal pronunciation is not a condition but it is preferable. If you make the intention for a Ramadan fast at night, then say:
“Nawaytu An Asooma Ghadal Lillahi Ta’ala Min Shahri Ramadhani Haadhaa.”
(I make intention to Fast tomorrow for the sake of Allah Ta’ala in this month of Ramadhan).
If you make the intention in the morning (before midday) then say:
“Nawaytu An Asooma Haadhaal yoma Lillahi Ta’ala Min Faradi Ramadhan.”(I have intended to fast today as a compulsory fast for the sake of Allah azwajal) (Rad-dul-Muhtaar, V2, P332)
The Fajr Azan is for the Salah, Not for the Fast
Sahari must not be delayed to the extent that the time of dawn seems to be starting, some people keep eating even after dawn during the Azan saying (Listen! The sound of that Masjid’s Azan is still coming) and if they do not eat (just before the Azan) they at least drink water to “close their fasts” (despite the Azan having begun). This doesn’t “close” the fast, in fact it leaves the fast “completely open” and makes it invalid; such people will gain nothing except bearing thirst and hunger the whole day. “Closing the fast” has nothing to do with the Fajr Azan. It is absolutely vital that you stop eating before the break of dawn (as the previous verse stated).
Meaning of Iftaari
Iftaar has either come from the word ‘Fitrat’ which means ‘habit’. In this sense, it means that it is called Iftaar because, after Iftaar, a person has permission to eat, drink and perform other duties that are his habit, which he is not able to do whilst he is Fasting.
Or Iftaar comes from the word ‘Fatrat’ which means ‘to split’ or ‘to have a hole’. In this sense, it means that two Fasts are split or separated by the Iftaar.
The Rasulullah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has said “The supplications of three types of people are never rejected: a Fasting person at the time of Iftaar, a just ruler, and an oppressed person.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
Iftaar and the Sunnah of Rasool Allah
The Sunnah is that Iftaar should be hastened in that as soon as it is time for Iftaar, it should not be delayed and should be done immediately. In one Hadith, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam stated that when the night arrives and the day leaves and the sun disappears completely, a Fasting person should do Iftaari.
In another Hadith, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “The religion will remain victorious as long as people hasten to do Iftaari because the Jews and Christians delay in doing Iftaari.” (Ibn Majah). In yet another Hadith, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Allah Ta’ala states that ‘The most beloved of My slave to Me is he who hastens in doing Iftaari.’” (Tirmidhi Shareef)
What Iftaari Should Be Done With?
Hazrat Salman bin ‘Aamir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “If anyone of you is Fasting, let him open his Fast with dates or dry dates. In case he does not have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifier.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
Supplication After Iftaar
After opening the Fast, recite this supplication:
“Allahumma Laka Sumtu Wa Bika Aamantu Wa ‘Alaika
Tawakkaltu Wa ‘Alaa Rizqika Aftartu Fataqabbal Minnee.”
(O Allah! I Fasted for You and believe in You and Trust You. I have opened my Fast with what You have granted so therefore accept it from me)
One well known Du’a to be recited after Iftar has already been mentioned, here is another one:
“Allahumma Laka Sumtu Wa ‘Alaa Rizqika Aftartu”(Ya Allah azwajal I fasted for You and did Iftar with Your given sustenance.
(Sunan Abi Dawood, V2, P447, Hadith 2358)
Excellence of Arranging Iftaar for Others
Nisaa’i and Ibn Khuzaimah report on the authority of Zaid bin Khalid Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu, who narrated that, “The person who arranges for a Fasting person to open their Fast, or ties up the armour for an Islamic soldier also receives the same reward as those who performed that worship.” (Nisaa’i Shareef)
Another Hadith states: If anyone gets a fasting Muslim to drink water, Allah azwajal will make him drink water from my pool (Haud) and he will not feel thirst till he enters Heaven. (Sahih ibn Khuzaimah, V3, P192, Hadith 1887)
Precautions for Iftar
It is better to do iftar with one or half date then clean your mouth properly and say salah with complete jama'at. These days people eat fruits, pakoras etc. in the Masjid and join jama'at without cleaning their mouths properly, whereas there shouldn’t be a single bit of food or taste in the mouth (when offering salah).
Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Nothing is more troublesome for Kiraman Katibeen (the two angels that record deeds) than seeing their companion offering salah in such a condition that something is stuck between his teeth.” (Tabarani Kabeer, V4, P177, Hadith 4061)
All We Worry about Is Eating!
Dear fasting Muslims! Congratulations to you all! There's a gladtiding that you will be given whatever you ask for at the time of Iftar, but unfortunately, our present situation is very sad. At the time of Iftar we face a very severe test because we usually have a great variety of fruits, kebabs, samosas, pakoras, and drinks in front of us; weakened by thirst and hunger; as soon as the sun sets we “attack” the food and completely forget to pray. Many of us even miss Rakats of the Maghrib-Jamat due to eating extravagantly, and some are so lazy that Allah azwajal forbid they miss the whole jamat and pray Maghrib at home! Oh seekers of Heaven! Do not be so negligent! Offering salah with the Jamat has been stressed greatly by Shariah. Always remember! It is a sin to miss the jamat of salah without a valid reason.
It is usually hard for people who do Iftar in the Masjid to clean their mouths properly because if they try to do so they may well lose jama'at or at least some raka'at. It is suggested to do iftar with just a date or two and some water, move the water properly inside your mouth so that the sweetness and bits of the date are washed away into your stomach. If necessary, use a tooth pick. If there's no time to clean mouth properly, then it's safer to do iftar with water only.
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