Praise be to Allah.
The time of iftaar is the time when the fast ends, which is the time of Maghrib prayer. There is no sin on the one who asks about the time of iftaar so that he may enjoy the things that Allaah has permitted to him of food, drink and intercourse, and to feel the joy of having completed his worship. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The fasting person has two moments of joy: when he breaks his fast he rejoices at breaking his fast, and when he meets his Lord he will rejoice at his fasting.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1805; Muslim, 1151.
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Al-Qurtubi said: What this means is that he rejoices at the disappearance of his hunger and thirst when it becomes permissible for him to break his fast. This joy is something natural and this is the first meaning that comes to mind. And it was said that his joy when breaking the fast is because he has completed his fast and finished his act of worship, and his Lord is allowing him now to eat and drink, which will help him to fast more.
I say: There is no reason why it should not be interpreted in a manner that is more general than what has been mentioned. Everyone rejoices according to his status, because people vary with regard to that. Some of them feel a kind of joy that is permissible, and that is natural. Others feel a kind of joy that is mustahabb, if it is because of the reasons mentioned above.
Fath al-Baari, 4/118
And Allaah knows best.
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