What's the right time for taking Iftar?

[Zainab_M]

Please check this very important information at Brother AOH's website, Quranic Path, for interpretation that makes a lot of sense.

It brings to light that the practice observed by majority of Muslims to end their fast dot at Maghreb time is really not correct as it's not in accordance with the instructions of the Quran.  Fasting is apparently to be ended about 20 to 25 minutes after sunset.  In some locations of the globe, one might need to wait a little longer. 

Shiias generally end their fast approximately 20 or 25 minutes after Maghreb.  That surely seems to be a lot more correct than the Sunni practice of breaking their fast exactly at sunset time. 

Read the detailed write-up at:

Be careful to break you fast at the right time
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=3431.0

For more information also check:

Uptil what time can we eat sahoor?
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=880.0

Fasting in the Glorious Quran
http://muslimvilla.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=1788.0

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Very good read.  My family and I always end our fast 15 to 20 mins after offering Maghrib salaat.  That's obviously what the Quran instructs.

[Ruhi_Rose]

This seems useful.  But I'm gettin a bit confused as this link is too lengthy (or maybe I'm rushin too much).  Can anyone please take the trouble to mention the gist of it so I can catch the exact argument.  Then it'll be easy for me to gradually follow the arguments of the link, step by step.

[Zainab_M]

Sure sister.  Here, just read this.  I interpret the summary of it.

The following is Verse 2:187

وكلوا واشربوا حتي يتبين لكم الخيط الابيض من الخيط الاسود من الفجر ثم اتموا الصيام الي الليل

"Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black. Then fast to the night." (Qur'an 2:187)

Allah Almighty mentions clearly in the above verse that the time to end the fast is "leil." The term 'leil' is specifically used for 'night.' In fact, 'leil' means the 'darkness of the night.' Anyone who knows even the basics of Arabic, or even proper Urdu, will know that the term "leil" is never used for sunset. The term for sunset in the Noble Quran (and in Arabic obviously) is "dulook al-shams."

Now please check verse 17:78 of the Quran where Allah instructs us to offer the Maghrib prayer and the timing for Maghrib salaah is from sunset till it turns dark. Please note, sunset is not yet darkness. And the term used for sunset is "dulook al-shams."

اقم الصلاة لدلوك الشمس الي غسق الليل وقران الفجر ان قران الفجر كان مشهودا

"Establish the prayer from sunset (dulook al-shams / دلوك الشمس) to the darkness of the night (ليل / layl), and the Qur'an at dawn, surely the Qur'an at dawn is witnessed" (Qur'an 17:78)


Verse 2:187 which mentions the breaking time of fast (Iftar) uses the term "leil" and not "dulook al-shams."

It's for this reason that several Muslims (particularly Shiias) end their fast 20 to 25 minutes after Maghrib when it's dark by definition. However, I m not saying it's right to break one's fast 25 minutes after Maghrib simply because the Shiias follow it nor because br. Ace said it, but I say it because it tallies much more with the dictates of the Noble Quran to end one's fast approx. 25 after Maghrib instead of breaking it dot on Maghrib. I also don't mean to say that those who break it on Maghrib are sinners. Maybe their intent is also clean. It's all upto Allah to judge.