- Sehri And Iftaar (Opening And Closing the fast)

The virtue for performing Sehri
The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has stated "eat for Sehri as there is a lot of blessings for this. The difference between our fasts and the fasts of the other book followers is the bite of sehri [Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Nisaa'i etc.]. Allah and His angels send blessings to those who eat at Sehri [Tibrani].

The whole of Sehri is complete blessing and should not be missed and if possible drink at least one gulp of water because Allah and His angels send blessings upon those who perform sehri" [Imam Ahmad].
The Prophet has stated the Allah has said that out of my servants I love those more who rush their Iftari and delay their Sehri [Ahmad, Tirmizi etc.].

It is also reported that Allah chooses those who hurry their Iftari and delay their Sehri [Tibrani].

To eat Sehri and to delay it is Sunnat, but to delay it so much that their is doubt that the dawn will break then this is Makrooh [Alamgiri, Bahar].

To hurry the Iftar is Sunnat but it must only be done when you are satisfied that the sun has set, and until you are not completely satisfied you should not start Iftari even if the Mo'azzin has called the Azaan. On days where it is cloudy the Iftar should not be hurried [Radd-ul-Mohtar]. 

What should Iftar be started with ?
The Prophet has stated that when you start the Iftar, then start it with either some dates or dry dates, and if these are not available then start it with water as this is an item that purifies. The Prophet used to pray this Dua when finishing the fast (Dua of Iftari) "Allahumma Laka Sumto, Wa Alaa Rizqika Aftarto" meaning, Oh Allah I fasted for you and I have opened my fast with your given wealth.