Chapter on the Reward of One Who Provides Iftar to a Fasting Person

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Sadir entered upon my father عليه السلام during the Month of Ramadan. My father said to him: 'O Sadir, do you know what nights these are?' Sadir replied: 'Yes, may I be your ransom; these are the nights of the Month of Ramadan. Why do you ask?' My father عليه السلام said to him: 'Can you free ten slaves from the descendants of Isma'il every night of these nights?' Sadir replied: 'May I be your ransom, my wealth cannot reach that amount.' My father عليه السلام continued to reduce the number until he said: 'Can you free one slave every night?' Sadir replied: 'I cannot do that either.' My father عليه السلام then asked: 'Can you provide iftar for one Muslim every night?' Sadir replied: 'Yes, I can, and even for ten Muslims.' My father عليه السلام said: 'That is what I intended, O Sadir. Providing iftar to your Muslim brother is equal to freeing one slave from the descendants of Isma'il عليه السلام.'"

Musa ibn Bakr narrated from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام that he said: "Providing iftar to your fasting brother is more virtuous than your own fasting."

Imam Zain al-Abidin Ali ibn al-Hussein عليه السلام would, on the day he fasted, order a sheep to be slaughtered, its parts to be cut, and then cooked. When it was evening, he would lean over the pots to smell the aroma of the broth while still fasting. Then Imam عليه السلام would say: "Bring the dishes and serve portions to the family of so-and-so, and to the family of so-and-so." Afterward, bread and dates would be brought to Imam عليه السلام, and that would be his dinner.

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Whoever provides iftar to a believing fasting person during this month will have, for that act, the reward of freeing a slave and forgiveness for their past sins from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted and Glorious." It was said to Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: "O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, not all of us are able to provide iftar to a fasting person." He (peace be upon him and his family) replied: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, is generous. He grants this reward to those among you who can only offer a sip of milk to break the fast of a fasting person, or a drink of pure water, or a few dates if they are unable to offer more than that."