What Is Iftar? Meaning, Time & Ramadan Meal

Iftar is the meal with which Muslims break the daily Ramadan fast at sunset. The fasting day begins at Fajr and ends when Maghrib enters. Iftar may be simple or elaborate depending on culture, but the religious principle is the same: the fast should be broken once its proper time has arrived.

What Does Iftar Mean?

Iftar literally refers to breaking the fast. In Ramadan, it is the evening meal eaten after the daily fasting period has ended. The meal may begin with dates or water and may later include a larger family or community meal.

Iftar is therefore both a time and a meal. The key religious marker is not when dinner is served, but when the fasting period ends at Maghrib.

When Is Iftar Time?

Iftar begins when the daily fast ends at sunset, corresponding to the beginning of Maghrib. The Qur’an instructs Muslims to complete the fast until night; see Qur’an 2:187.

Because sunset changes by city and date, there is no single worldwide Iftar time. Use Iftar Time Today for location-based fast-breaking time and Prayer Times Today for the complete daily prayer schedule.

Should Iftar Be Delayed?

Authentic hadith encourages Muslims not to delay breaking the fast unnecessarily once the correct time has arrived. Sahih al-Bukhari 1957 reports that people will remain upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast.

This does not mean breaking the fast before sunset. It means that once Maghrib has genuinely begun, there is no religious benefit in intentionally postponing Iftar without reason.

How Do Muslims Traditionally Break the Fast?

A report from Anas ibn Malik states that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to break his fast before prayer with fresh dates; if they were unavailable, with dry dates; and if those were unavailable, with water. See Sunan Abi Dawud 2356.

This provides a simple and well-known pattern for beginning Iftar. A person does not need a large meal to break the fast; a small amount of food or drink is enough to end the fasting state once Maghrib has begun.

Iftar at a Glance

What Is the Difference Between Iftar and Maghrib?

Maghrib is the sunset prayer time, while Iftar is the act or meal of breaking the fast. The two are closely linked because the daily fast ends as Maghrib begins.

A mosque may organize prayer and a community meal according to its own local schedule, but the religious fasting boundary is tied to sunset rather than to the serving time of dinner.

What Is the Difference Between Iftar and Suhoor?

For the pre-dawn meal, read What Is Suhoor? and check the daily cutoff through Suhoor Time Today.

What Should You Eat at Iftar?

There is no single required menu for Iftar. Meals vary widely across Muslim cultures. A balanced approach can begin with something light and include fluids, vegetables, whole grains, protein and familiar foods according to personal health and dietary needs.

Many families enjoy soups, rice dishes, breads, fruit, salads, grilled foods, stews and traditional sweets. For practical meal ideas, visit Iftar Recipes and Ramadan Foods.

Hydration at Iftar

Iftar begins the non-fasting period, so it is an important opportunity to rehydrate. Instead of trying to drink an extreme amount at once, many people find it easier to spread fluid intake between Iftar and Suhoor.

Individual needs vary according to climate, activity, age and health. People with medical conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding needs or prescribed medication should seek individualized professional advice rather than relying only on general fasting information.

Can You Eat Immediately at Maghrib?

Yes, once the correct Maghrib time has begun, the fast may be broken. There is no need to wait for a large dinner or a particular number of minutes after sunset.

The practical priority is to confirm the correct local time. If a timetable or app appears different from another source, compare the calculation method and follow reliable local guidance.

Does the Iftar Dua Break the Fast?

No. A dua is an act of remembrance and worship, but it is not what technically ends the fasting period. The fast ends when the prescribed time arrives.

For the Arabic wording, transliteration, meaning and hadith source, use the dedicated Iftar Dua for Breaking the Fast guide.

Can Iftar Be a Community Meal?

Yes. Iftar may be eaten individually, with family, at a mosque or as part of a wider community gathering. The social form of the meal can differ from place to place while the religious timing remains the same.

Community Iftars are especially common during Ramadan because they combine worship, hospitality and shared meals. The meal itself, however, should not cause confusion about the actual Maghrib boundary.

Common Iftar Mistakes to Avoid

• Breaking the fast before sunset: confirm the actual local Maghrib time.
• Delaying Iftar unnecessarily: authentic hadith encourages breaking the fast promptly once the correct time arrives.
• Assuming a large meal is required: Iftar can begin very simply.
• Overeating immediately: breaking the fast does not require an excessively heavy meal.
• Ignoring hydration: use the evening hours sensibly to replace fluids.
• Confusing prayer schedules with sunset: a mosque timetable may include local organizational details, while the fasting boundary remains tied to Maghrib.

How Long Was the Fast Before Iftar?

The length of the daily fast depends on the time between Fajr and Maghrib. It varies by location and date. Use the Ramadan Fasting Calculator to estimate fasting duration for a selected city and date.

For the entire month, the Ramadan Calendar 2027 can help compare Suhoor, Iftar and prayer times day by day.

Iftar During Ramadan 2027

Ramadan 2027 is expected around February 2027, subject to local moon sighting and official announcements. Exact Iftar times will differ by city and will also change gradually during the month.

The Ramadan Countdown 2027 is useful before the month begins, while daily location-based tools should be used during Ramadan for actual fasting times.

Final Guidance

Iftar is the meal and moment that ends the daily Ramadan fast at Maghrib. Confirm the correct local sunset time, break the fast promptly once it arrives, use simple food or drink if desired, and avoid confusing cultural meal schedules with the actual fasting boundary. For exact timing, use Iftar Time Today; for the supplication associated with breaking the fast, see Iftar Dua.