ifṭār

Islam

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July 16, 2026

Quick Summary

Iftar is the meal Muslims eat at sundown to break their daily fast during Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is a holy month of fasting in Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs. This fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.12

The iftar meal is often a family gathering, held in homes or mosques. It typically begins with dates, apricots, water, or sweetened milk, following the custom of the Prophet Muhammad. The month of Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, the "Feast of Fast-Breaking".123

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Ramadan
Practices
…a festive evening meal, called ifṭār, after sundown is a central part of the holiday as well. After the sunset prayer, Muslims gather in their homes or mosques to break their fast, often joyfully shared with friends and extended family. The ifṭār usually begins with dates, as was the custom…
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…a festive evening meal, called ifṭār, after sundown is a central part of the holiday as well. After the sunset prayer, Muslims gather in their homes or mosques to break their fast, often joyfully shared with friends and extended family. The ifṭār usually begins with dates, as was the custom…
Read More