The best-known roza kholne ki dua (iftar dua) is “Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa alaika tawakkaltu wa ala rizqika aftartu”. The dua reported from the Prophet ﷺ himself is “Dhahaba-z-zama’u wabtallatil-‘urooqu wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah”. Below are both duas in Arabic with Urdu and English meaning, the correct way to open the fast, and an answer to a question many people ask: is there a separate niyat for opening the roza?
Roza Kholne Ki Dua 1 (Masnoon Dua)
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ، وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ
Pronunciation: Dhahaba-z-zama’u, wabtallatil-‘urooqu, wa thabatal-ajru in sha Allah.
Urdu tarjuma:
پیاس بجھ گئی، رگیں تر ہو گئیں، اور اگر اللہ نے چاہا تو اجر ثابت ہو گیا۔
English meaning: The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.
Reference: Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that when the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast he said these words (Sunan Abi Dawud 2357). Scholars have graded its chain as hasan (good), which is why it is called the masnoon dua for iftar. It is said after taking the first sip of water or bite of date, because it describes the thirst having already gone.
Roza Kholne Ki Dua 2 (Most Common Dua in Pakistan)
اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّیْ لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ اٰمَنْتُ وَعَلَیْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَعَلٰی رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Pronunciation: Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika amantu wa alaika tawakkaltu wa ala rizqika aftartu.
Urdu tarjuma:
اے اللہ! میں نے تیرے لیے روزہ رکھا، تجھ پر ایمان لایا، تجھ پر بھروسہ کیا اور تیرے دیے ہوئے رزق سے روزہ کھولا۔
English meaning: O Allah, I fasted for You, I believe in You, I put my trust in You, and I break my fast with Your provision.
This is the version most of us learned at home and in school. The shorter wording, “Allahumma laka sumtu wa ala rizqika aftartu”, is reported in Sunan Abi Dawud (2358) from Mu’adh ibn Zuhrah; its chain is mursal, so scholars class it as weak but acceptable to recite. The phrases “wa bika amantu wa alaika tawakkaltu” were added later by people; their meaning is correct, so reciting them is not wrong, but they are not part of the narrated text.
Roza Kholne Ki Niyat: Is There a Separate Niyat?
No separate niyat is needed to open the fast. Niyat (intention) belongs to keeping the fast, and it is made in the heart before dawn. Waking up for sehri with the intention of fasting is itself the niyat. When it is time for iftar, you simply break the fast and recite the dua.
The words many people say at sehri, “Wa bi sawmi ghadin nawaitu min shahri Ramadan” (I intend to keep tomorrow’s fast of the month of Ramadan), are not narrated from the Prophet ﷺ. Saying them is allowed as a reminder, but the fast is valid without them as long as the intention is in your heart.
How to Open the Fast: Sunnah Method
- Open on time. Break the fast as soon as the sun has set. The Prophet ﷺ said people will remain on good as long as they hasten to break the fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 1957).
- Start with dates. Open with fresh dates; if not available, dry dates; and if neither, a few sips of water (Sunan Abi Dawud 2356, Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 696).
- Say Bismillah and then recite the iftar dua.
- Make your own dua. The time of iftar is a time when supplication is hoped to be accepted, so ask Allah for yourself, your family and the ummah.
- Pray Maghrib. Eat lightly first and pray Maghrib on time; have the full meal afterwards if you prefer.
Iftar Dua When Opening Someone Else’s Fast
When you eat iftar at someone’s house, the Prophet ﷺ used to pray for the host:
أَفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَأَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الْأَبْرَارُ، وَصَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ
Pronunciation: Aftara ‘indakumus-sa’imoon, wa akala ta’amakumul-abrar, wa sallat ‘alaikumul-mala’ikah.
Meaning: May fasting people break their fast with you, may the righteous eat your food, and may the angels pray for you (Sunan Abi Dawud 3854).
Feeding a fasting person carries great reward: whoever gives iftar to a fasting person gets a reward like his, without reducing the fasting person’s reward (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 807).
Frequently Asked Questions
Roza kholne ki dua pehle parhen ya baad mein?
“Dhahaba-z-zama’u…” is read after taking the first date or sip of water. “Allahumma laka sumtu…” can be read just before or right after opening; both practices are common.
Kya dua parhe baghair roza khul jata hai?
Yes. The fast ends at sunset whether or not you recite a dua. Reciting it is Sunnah and brings reward, but it is not a condition.
Roza kholne ki niyat kya hai?
There is no separate niyat for opening the fast. The niyat is made for keeping the fast, before dawn, in the heart.
Which dua is correct for iftar?
Both are fine. “Dhahaba-z-zama’u…” has the stronger chain; “Allahumma laka sumtu…” is also narrated and widely recited.
