Question

What is the status of this narration?

ربما افطر ابن عمر بالجماع

Sometimes Ibn ‘Umar would do iftar by engaging in sexual relations with his wife.

Where can it be found and what is the explanation to it?

Some people have called this the sunnah of a Sahabi.

Answer

The quote about ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) is correct and is recorded in Al-Mu’jamul Kabir of Tabarani, Hadith: 13080.

‘Allamahs Haythami and ‘Ayni (rahimahumallah) have declared this narration as sound (hasan).

(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 3, pg. 156 and ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1955)

However, labelling it a “sunnah of a Sahabi” is absurd!

1) He would’ve done so out of necessity, and since when does darurah [necessity] be termed as “sunnah”?

If any person had a genuine need to sleep with his wife, and that coincided with the time of iftar, he would be within his right to do the above.

2) It is also possible, Sayyiduna ‘Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) did the above on occasions when he didn’t have any other option for iftar.

Also refer to ‘Allamah ‘Ayni’s explanations in ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1955.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar