Favourite Iftars

Collective Iftars organized in our mosque were always amazing. It was so not because variety of food was introduced there. No. Food was always very modest. Usually there was only rice with meat served in big plates, some cut vegetables, and dry fruits as sweets. If somebody brought something else like pies or deserts it was welcomed of course. But anyway, food was not the main thing there.

Muslims used to invite everyone who came to mosque to join the meal. And whatever number of people joined us we used to find a place for everyone and there was always enough food for each person. It was an amazing feeling when modest food was shared and one was concentrated on the atmosphere of unity, when each of us felt himself as a part of Ummah in the real sense of this word. These Iftars I would never forget. During such meetings mutual love and fellow-feeling among Muslims was increased. It was the truest representation of Sunnah and unique examples of hospitality and kindness liked by Allah.

Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The food of one person suffices for two, the food of two persons suffices for four persons, and the food of four persons suffices for eight persons.'' (Muslim)

And sometimes I visited Iftars where there was a great variety of dishes, an incredible amount of food, one could find everything he could imagine, from appetizers to desserts. The table groaned with food. And even if there were many people participating in the collective meal they were not be able to finish all this food and it was left. At such parties people were concentrating only on eating and on taking rest after eating; moreover, attending prayer was hard as everybody felt tired or sleepy. There was only food, nothing else.