فضائل ماه مبارک رمضان – شب سیزدهم

دریافت فایل صوتی

Etiquettes of Sehr & Iftar in the light of Quran and Ahadees
One of the uniqueness and speciality of Islam – in the Shia sect – is that it has not only focussed on the spiritual aspect. Rather, it was provided many rules and direction for this material life also. In fact, according to Islam, the world is the means to attain (the bounties of) the Hereafter. Other religions have not paid much attention to both – physical & spiritual – aspects of an individual. In this sense, Islam is superior to all religions.
One of the things that we would like to discuss and elaborate in tonight’s lecture is about the etiquettes of opening of fast ( Iftar) and the pre-dawn meal ( sehri). We will begin with iftar and see the Quranic verses & traditions ( ahadees) about it. Then we will also discuss about sehri.
🔖 Iftar
📌 1 Often people ask that whether namaz should be recited first and then iftar should be done? Or is it vice versa? Our traditions have thrown light upon this. They say that if a person is having the strength, then he should certainly pray namaz first. Unlike the Ahle Sunnah who – as soon as muezzin says the first takbeer – immediately do their iftar, in Ahle Tashaiyyo such is not the case.. Preference is for reciting namaz if the strength permits. Some people feel that if they do iftar, then they will feel better and be able to pray namaz with attention ( tawajjoh), then if it is like that then it is okay. But as much as we try to pray namaz before Iftar with as much attention as possible. However, if family members are waiting for you and they won’t do iftar without you; or some guests have come home for iftar, then in these two cases, iftar can be done first. Otherwise, praying namaz before iftar is highly emphasised.
Imam Sadiq (a.s) says, “It is mustahab for a person that if he is capable, then he should pray his namaz before Iftar” (Iqbal Aamal, vol 1 pg 112)
Hence, we should also tell our family members that if they have the strength, then they should recite their Maghrib prayer before iftar.
📌 2 We should not do iftar only for ourselves. Rather, we should do charity ( sadqah) at the time of iftar. If some beggar or a poor person comes at the door at time of iftar, then we should give some food. Or we can also prepare some extra iftar which can be shared with some poor person.
Imam Reza (a.s) says, “The one who gives a loaf of bread to a destitute at the time of iftar, Allah will forgive his sins” (Wasailush Shia, vol 1 pg 312)
📌 3 Time of Iftar is the time of acceptance of dua. Hence, before commencing the iftar, one should make it a point to pray. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) ordered Ameerul Momineen (a.s) in this regard. Thus, rather than rushing to do iftar, if one’s strength permits than he should pray. This time of iftar is blessed and ripe for acceptance of duas. Hence, we should take maximum benefit from it. In the light of traditions, we should not miss reciting Surah Qadr. Also, one should not forget to pray for zuhoor for Imam Zamana (a.s) at this time. Atleast we can recite dua Allahumma Kunle waliyek.. We can also pray for him in our own language. In Mafati and other books there are small duas suggested for the time of iftar. We can choose from them and recite loudly so that others too can join us. We should also remember those who are going through difficulties, who are ill etc. We should also remember our Marhomeen. We should not waste this precious time of Iftar.
4 With what should we do iftar?
In the light of traditions, iftar should be done with dates. Also, it can be done with something sweet or milk. Even by water. We have traditions for each of them. In traditions, it has come that Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) would do his iftar with dates. Other traditions too speak about the other things that we have mentioned.

🔖 Sehri
📌 1 Many people, in order not to disturb their sleep, have dinner late at night. And they wake up at the time of Namaz Subh. In other words, they skip their sehri. Incidentally this point has been highlighted in traditions. Although it is not wrong to do like this (skip sehri), yet eating sehri has been greatly emphasised. And it is mentioned that a person must wake up before Namaz Subh and do sehri.
Abu Baseer asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) “Is it necessary for the one who is fasting that he should do sehri?” Imam replied “If he does not do then it is okay (for mustahab fasts). But in the month of Mahe Ramazan it is greatly emphasised to do sehri. We love that he does not forsake it in the month of Ramazan” (Kafi, vol 2, pg 94)
📌 2 At the time of sehri, one should recite Surah Qadr. Like at the time of Iftar
📌 3 We should seek forgiveness for our sins at the time of sehr.
Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a) says, “Allah and His angels send durood (blessings) upon those who seek forgiveness at the time of sehr. Then do sehr even if it is with water” (Man la Yahzarul Faqih, 2/136)
📌 4 With what should we do sehri?
Here too traditions speak about eating dates and also drinking more water. Some traditions have mentioned eating saveeq (which is like a porridge mostly made of wheat and barley and also includes dates and sugar). By this a person will get strength and will be able to keep the fast effortlessly.
Besides the time of sehr should be utilised for reciting Namaz Shab, Quran, Dua Abu Hamza etc.
O Allah! You destine the zuhoor of Imam Zamana (a.s) in this very month of Ramazan.

O Allah! Grant us to follow the commands and advices of Ahle Bait (a.s) so that they become happy with us. And their happiness is the happiness of Allah