Mass Iftaars

Question:-

Mass Iftaars have become a “trend” in SA, UK, and perhaps other parts of the world. I have not heard of these events in the time of our Beloved Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Kindly provide a ruling on these mass Iftaars Mufti Sahib.

Answer:-

Partaking of Iftaar at the time of sunset is an act of Ibaadah and should be carried out in accordance to the Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Iftaar should be made with dates and water as was the practice of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. It is definitely not a “party” which has become a trend in many Masajid in parts of our country and abroad, where Musallis indulge in sumptuous meals, enjoying different types of savouries and delicacies in the Masjid. As a result, many omit Dua which should be made at the time of Iftaar, as they are so involved in their preparations for Iftaar, whilst others even miss the Takbeer-e-Ula due to being involved in eating. The youth are so busy “partying” that some of them even miss the entire Maghrib Salaah with Jamaat whilst being present in the house of Allah, or in a Madrasah classroom that is attached to the Masjid.

Unfortunately, we haven’t understood the true value of the month of Ramadaan. Ramadaan is actually a time to attain closeness to Allah Ta’ala and rekindle our relationship with our Creator. How will this be achieved when so much of time is wasted in unnecessary and even, impermissible activities?! Our pious predecessors would barely eat during the month of Ramadaan. Some would suffice on black tea, whilst others would eat a dry piece of roti. Maximum time would be spent in Tilaawat of the Quraan Sharif, Salaah, Dua, etc. affording minimal importance to food. We, on the other hand, have made the month of Ramadaan a month of feasting and “partying” to the extent that many do not eat in other months of the year as much as they eat in the month of Ramadaan. The fasting person should experience some level of hunger so that he, too, may understand the pangs of hunger experienced by the poor.

These mass Iftaar “parties” are against the Sunnah and the way of our pious predecessors, which is further accompanied with a great deal of wastage and extravagance, which is impermissible. Further, some of these Iftaar “parties” are attended by both males and females without any form of segregation and coupled with joking and laughing with the opposite sex, which is Haraam. Such behaviour results in one becoming distant from Allah Ta’ala instead of attaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala.

Due to the aforementioned wrongs and evil practices, Masjid trustees should not permit gatherings of this nature in the Masjid, nor on the Masjid premises. The Muslim Ummah should also refrain from attending such gatherings. We make Dua that Allah Ta’ala instills within our hearts the value of this great month and grants us the ability to observe it correctly. Ameen!

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdur Rahman Abdur Razak

Date: 04 Shawwal 1444 / 25 April 2023

APPROVED AND CHECKED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai