Providing Iftar to a fasting person, concerning which the text states that one receives a reward equal to that of the fasting person, refers to offering the fasting person something suitable for consumption, such that the first thing he partakes of to break his fast is from what you have given him. In this way, it is established that you have indeed provided his Iftar.
On the authority of Salman al Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him, it is reported: Whoever provides Iftar to a fasting person will receive forgiveness for his sins and emancipation from the Fire, and he will have a reward like his, without anything being diminished from the fasting person’s reward.
They said: O Messenger of Allah, not all of us can find something with which to provide Iftar to a fasting person. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Allah grants this reward to whoever provides Iftar to a fasting person with a sip of milk, a date, or a drink of water. And whoever satisfies a fasting person, Allah will give him to drink from my Hawd, a drink after which he will never feel thirst until he enters Jannah.
Narrated by al Bayhaqi and Ibn Khuzaymah in his Sahih, and by Abu al Shaykh and Ibn Hibban in al Thawab in abbreviated form.
In a narration reported by Abu al Shaykh, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever provides Iftar to a fasting person in the month of Ramadan from lawful earnings, the angels send prayers upon him throughout the nights of Ramadan, and Jibril shakes his hand on Laylat al Qadr. And whoever is shaken by Jibril, peace be upon him, his heart softens and his tears increase.
I said: O Messenger of Allah, what if he does not have anything? He said: Then a handful of food. I said: And if he does not have that? He said: Then a drink of water.
Although there is weakness in the chain of transmission of this hadith, it is tolerated to narrate it in matters concerning the virtues of deeds.
If a person intends to obtain the reward of providing Iftar to a fasting person, then it must be that the first thing the fasting person consumes of food or drink is what he has provided, so that it is truly regarded as having provided his Iftar. This is clear and evident. What you have done carries great reward, but it does not constitute providing Iftar in the specific sense mentioned above.
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