THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IFTAR
True Perspective
IFTAR is an Arabic word, which literally means ‘to break’. In the Islamic context, it means to break the fast, to eat and drink in the evening after the daylong fast. Iftar is not simply a matter of having dinner. It has great significance. It is a combination of spiritual and physical food.
According to Islamic teachings, there are five pillars of Islam. One of these pillars is fasting during Ramazan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting begins from dawn and ends at sunset. One can take food before dawn, after which one is required to maintain a total fast until sunset. After sunset, one is allowed to eat and drink according to one’s choice. Taking food before dawn is called sehri. Taking food after sunset is called iftar.
Iftar is like dinner, but it is a dinner combined with a spiritual experience. It is like a compulsory form of training. When one experiences hunger in the daytime, one discovers the importance of food and water which give us energy. Indeed, one discovers the fact that one cannot live without food and water. And, after this experience, when a person takes food and water in the evening, he is filled with gratitude to God Almighty, who not only created him, but also provided him with all the basic needs, essential for his continuing existence.
Iftar not only gives physical energy, but also becomes a source of spiritual development.
This spiritual experience also inculcates in his mind the importance of philanthropy. He becomes more sensitive towards those people who are unable to meet their needs. This feeling gives him an incentive to give assistance to such people.
In this sense, iftar is a source of spiritual learning. The iftar time becomes a time of inspiration. It is the moment when physical food is converted into spiritual food. Iftar not only gives physical energy, but also becomes a source of spiritual development.
According to Islamic teachings, iftar should be a simple meal and not a lavish affair. Simplicity saves us from distraction and will make us concentrate on the spiritual aspect of fasting. On the other hand, if the iftar takes the form of a lavish affair, all attention will focus on the taste and the physical aspects, and the spiritual benefits will be lost. In fact, a lavish iftar kills the true spirit of fasting. The Prophet of Islam and his Companions always used to take simple food at the time of iftar. Iftar ostensibly ends the time of fasting, but treating it as just that would be an underestimation. For the spiritually awakened mind, it is like a new beginning towards spiritual upliftment. Such a person will analyse the experiences of the day and try to learn lessons from them.
Iftar gives a glimpse of the boundless rewards that await man in the world Hereafter.
These days, organizing iftar parties has become a tradition. But this party should not be like any other party. Such a party should give us an opportunity for spiritual exchange, turning our individual experience into a social experience.
It is reported that the Prophet of Islam used to say at the time of iftar, ‘Thirst has been quenched, and hunger is no more, and, God willing, God will bless us with His reward.’ This shows that iftar invokes the spirit of prayer. It gives us an opportunity to say, ‘O God, I have fulfilled my duty and now I hope You will not deprive me of Your higher blessings.’ During the fast, the pangs of hunger and thirst make a man feel vulnerable and he turns towards God with renewed zeal. He cries out, ‘God, I have obeyed Your one command, there are many I could not. I kept one day’s fast, but I failed on several other occasions. I seek Your special blessings.’
When a sincere prayer like this is uttered, God turns His special attention to it, and the rewards are boundless. Man prays in this world and the reward is given in the world Hereafter. But fasting is an exception for which a taste of the reward is given in this world itself. Iftar gives a glimpse of the boundless rewards that await man in the world Hereafter.