This excerpt is taken from the book Ahkam o Masail Ramadan by the esteemed Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani رحمه الله.
Legal Status of the Suhoor Adhan:
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إن بلالا يؤذن بليل، فكلوا واشربوا حتى ينادي ابن أم مكتوم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab Adhan al-A'ma idha kana lahu man yukhbiruhu (617); Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Bayan anna al-Dukhul fi al-Sawm Yahsul bi Tuloo' al-Fajr (1092)
"Indeed, Bilal رضي الله عنه gives the adhan at night, so eat and drink until Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum رضي الله عنه gives the adhan." (The narrator) said: "Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum رضي الله عنه was blind; he would not give the adhan until he was told, 'You have reached the morning, you have reached the morning.'"
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
لا يمنعن أحدكم أذان بلال من سحوره، فإنه يؤذن بليل ليرجع قائمكم ولينبه نائمكم
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab al-Adhan Qabl al-Fajr (621); Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Bayan anna al-Dukhul fi al-Sawm Yahsul bi Tuloo' al-Fajr (1093)
"Let not Bilal's adhan prevent any of you from eating suhur, for he gives the adhan at night so that the one who is praying among you may return (to rest) and the one who is sleeping may wake up."
Allamah Sindhi رحمه الله states:
"This hadith refers to the short interval between the two, not a precise determination of a limit."
Furthermore, Imam Nawawi رحمه الله states:
قال العلماء: معناه أن بلالا كان يؤذن قبل الفجر، ويتربص بعد أذانه للدعاء ونحوه، ثم يرقب الفجر، فإذا قارب طلوعه نزل فأخبر ابن أم مكتوم، فيتأهب ابن أم مكتوم بالطهارة وغيرها، ثم يرقى ويشرع فى الأذان مع أول طلوع الفجر، والله أعلم
Reference: Sharh Muslim li al-Nawawi (1093)
"Scholars have said that the meaning of this hadith is that Bilal رضي الله عنه would give the adhan before Fajr and then sit for supplication and other things after the adhan. When the dawn was near, he would come down and inform Ibn Umm Maktum رضي الله عنه, who would then prepare for ablution and other things, then ascend and begin the adhan as soon as Fajr appeared."
In short, there must be an interval between the adhan for suhur and the true dawn (Fajr al-Sadiq) that is sufficient for a person to easily eat suhur, for the one who is praying to return, for the sleeper to wake up, and to prepare for the fast, because Bilal's adhan was not a barrier to eating and drinking, as it occurred during the false dawn (Fajr al-Kadhib).
Imam Bukhari رحمه الله explained this issue based on the hadith narrated from Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit رضي الله عنه, who said:
تسحرنا مع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم قام إلى الصلاة، قلت: كم كان بين الأذان والسحور؟ قال: قدر خمسين آية
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: Bab Qadr Kam Bayna al-Suhur wa Salat al-Fajr (1921); Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Fadl al-Suhur (1097)
"We ate suhur with the Prophet ﷺ, then he ﷺ stood up for prayer. I (Anas رضي الله عنه) asked: 'How much time was there between the suhur and the prayer?' He said: 'The time it takes to recite fifty verses.'"
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said at the time of suhur:
يا أنس إني أريد القيام، أطعمني شيئا، فأتيته بتمر وإناء فيه ماء، وذلك بعد ما أذن بلال، فقال: يا أنس، انظر رجلا يأكل معي، فدعوت زيد بن ثابت فجاء، فقال: إني قد شربت شربة سويق، وأنا أريد الصيام، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: وأنا أريد الصيام، فتسحر معه ثم قام فصلى ركعتين ثم خرج إلى الصلاة
Reference: Sunan al-Nasa'i, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab al-Suhur bi al-Sawiq wa al-Tamr (2166)
"O Anas! I intend to fast, feed me something." I brought him dates and a vessel of water, and this was after Bilal's adhan. He ﷺ said: "O Anas! Find someone to eat with me." I invited Zayd ibn Thabit رضي الله عنه, and he came and said: "I have had a sip of Sawiq (barley meal) and intend to fast." The Prophet ﷺ said: "I also intend to fast." He ate suhur with the Prophet ﷺ, then stood up, prayed two rak'ahs of Sunnah, and then left the house for the morning prayer.
This hadith also shows that after Bilal's adhan, there was certainly an interval during which a person could arrange and eat suhur. Therefore, there must be an interval between the two adhans sufficient for suhur to be arranged.
Eating and Drinking During the Adhan:.
If it is known about the muezzin that he gives the adhan immediately upon the rising of Fajr, then in such a case, it is obligatory to stop eating, drinking, and all other things that break the fast as soon as his adhan is heard. However, if the adhan is given based on estimation and conjecture according to the calendar, then in such a case, there is no harm in eating and drinking during the adhan, as there is a hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, he ﷺ said:
إن بلالا ينادي بليل، فكلوا واشربوا حتى ينادي ابن أم مكتوم
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Bab al-Adhan Qabl al-Fajr (620); Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Bayan anna al-Dukhul fi al-Sawm Yahsul bi Tuloo' al-Fajr (1092)
“Bilal رضي الله عنه gives the adhan at night, so eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktum رضي الله عنه gives the adhan.”
He ﷺ also said:
“Whoever avoids doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honor.”
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Bab Fadl Man Istabra'a li Dinihi (52); Muslim, Kitab al-Musaqat, Bab Akhdh al-Halal wa Tark al-Shubuhat (1599)
However, if it is certain that the muezzin gives the adhan to inform people before the rising of Fajr while some part of the night remains, as Bilal رضي الله عنه used to do, then in such a case, acting upon the aforementioned hadith, there is no harm in eating and drinking until the adhan of the muezzin who gives the adhan with the rising of Fajr begins.
The Last Time for Suhoor:.
Allah Almighty states:
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 187)
"And eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread."
In this noble verse, "the white thread" refers to the true dawn (subh al-sadiq), and "the black thread" refers to the night. Adi ibn Hatim رضي الله عنه narrates: "When this noble verse was revealed, I placed a black rope and a white rope, used for tying camels, under my pillow. I started looking at them at night, but I couldn't see them clearly. (Even though by then it should have become white). In the morning, I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and narrated the whole incident to him, whereupon he ﷺ said:
إنما ذلك سواد الليل وبياض النهار
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: Bab Qawl Allah Ta'ala: (وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ) (1916)
"In this noble verse, the black and white threads refer to the darkness of the night and the whiteness of the day."
In this noble verse, Allah Almighty has specified the time for suhur, stating that you can eat and drink until the true dawn. There seems to be some flexibility in defining the time limits, because, obviously, clocks as they exist today were not invented during the time of the Prophet's ﷺ prophethood and the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. People used to determine the times of night by observing the stars and the moon. Therefore, if suhur is delayed by a minute or two, it does not cause any catastrophe.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا سمع أحدكم النداء والإناء على يده، فلا يضعه حتى يقضي حاجته منه
Reference: Abu Dawud Kitab al-Sawm: Bab fi al-Rajul Yasma' al-Nida' wa al-Ina' fi Yadihi (2350), Hakim (1/426) Dar Qutni (2162)
"When one of you hears the adhan and the vessel is in his hand, he should not put it down until he has satisfied his need from it."
Mawlana Ubaydullah Mubarakpuri رحمه الله states:
وفيه إباحة الأكل والشرب من الإناء الذى فى يده عند سماع الأذان للفجر، وأن لا يضعه حتى يقضي حاجته
Reference: Mir'at al-Mafatih (6/469)
"This hadith indicates the permissibility of eating and drinking from the vessel in one's hand when hearing the adhan of Fajr, and that one should not put it down before satisfying one's need from it."
A corroborating narration for this hadith is also present from Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه.
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad: 3/348)
Haythami رحمه الله declared it hasan.
Reference: (Mir'at al-Mafatih: 2/470)
It is essential to eat Suhoor for fasting:
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
تسحروا ولو بجرعة من ماء
Reference: Mawarid al-Zaman (883)
"Eat suhoor, even if it is with a sip of water."
From this hadith, it is known that it is necessary to wake up for suhoor because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded it.
In one narration, it is stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
فصل ما بين صيامنا وصيام أهل الكتاب أكلة السحر
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on the Virtue of Suhoor and the Emphasis on its Desirability (1096)
"The difference between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book is eating suhoor."
Allah Almighty has also placed blessings in suhoor, as Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
تسحروا فإن فى السحور بركة
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: Chapter on the Blessing of Suhoor without Obligation (1923); Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on the Virtue of Suhoor (1095)
"Eat suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in eating suhoor."
دعاني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى السحور فى رمضان، فقال: هلم إلى الغداء المبارك
Reference: Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on One Who Calls Suhoor 'Ghada' (2344); Nasai, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on the Invitation to Suhoor (2164); Mawarid al-Zaman (882)
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ invited me to eat suhoor during the blessed month of Ramadan, and he ﷺ said: 'Come to the blessed meal of the morning.'"
The best thing with which suhoor can be eaten:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
نعم سحور المؤمن التمر
Reference: Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam: Chapter on One Who Calls Suhoor 'Ghada' (2345); Mawarid al-Zaman (884)
"The best suhoor for a believer is dates."
Eating suhoor late is the practice of the Prophets:
Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إنا معشر الأنبياء أمرنا أن نعجل إفطارنا ونؤخر سحورنا وأن نضع أيماننا على شمائلنا فى الصلاة
Reference: Mawarid al-Zaman (885), Tabarani al-Kabir (11/ 199), (11485)
"Indeed, we, the group of Prophets, have been commanded to delay our suhoor and hasten our iftar, and to place our right hand over our left in prayer."
Expiation for breaking a fast:
For a person who intentionally (knowingly) breaks a fast for any reason, the expiation is as follows:
◈ Free a slave.
◈ If unable to do so, fast for two consecutive months.
◈ If unable to do that, feed sixty poor people.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: Bab Idha Jama'a fi Ramadan (1936), Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam: Bab Taghliz Tahrim al-Jima' fi Nahar Ramadan (1111)
When should one break the fast?
The Almighty Allah says:
ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 187)
“Then complete the fast until night.”
Meaning, break the fast as soon as night falls, do not delay. Night (layl) begins with sunset.
Allamah Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Fayruzabadi رحمه الله writes:
الليل والليلة من مغرب الشمس إلى طلوع الفجر الصادق أو الشمس
Reference: Al-Qamus al-Muhit (1364)
“Night is from sunset until the rising of true dawn, or until sunrise.”
Allamah Ibn Manzur al-Ifriqi رحمه الله says: مبدؤه من غروب الشمس The beginning of night is from sunset.
From the explanation of the imams of linguistics, it is known that layl begins with sunset. Therefore, as soon as the sun sets, the fast should be broken; there should be no delay, because delaying the breaking of the fast is the practice of the Jews and Christians. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لا يزال الدين ظاهرا ما عجل الناس الفطر لأن اليهود والنصارى يؤخرون
Reference: Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Sawm: Bab Ma Yustahabbu min Ta'jil al-Fitr (2353), Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Siyam: Bab Ma Ja'a fi Ta'jil al-Iftar (1298), Ibn Khuzaymah (2060), Ibn Hibban (889), Hakim (1/431)
“The religion will always remain dominant as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and Christians delay breaking the fast.”
From this authentic hadith, it is known that breaking the fast late is the practice of the Jews and Christians, and their followers even in the present era break their fast ten or fifteen minutes after Muslims. They keep waiting for the siren for iftar, and the siren is also sounded late after sunset. Regarding this, it should be remembered that sounding a siren for worship is also a practice of the Jews and Christians. This practice has no connection with the people of Islam; rather, the fast should be broken immediately with sunset:
عن سهل أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يزال الناس بخير ما عجلوا الفطر
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Sawm: Bab Ta'jil al-Iftar (1957), Muslim, Kitab al-Siyam: Bab Fadl al-Sahur (1098)
Sayyiduna Sahl رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“As long as people hasten to break the fast, they will remain in goodness.”
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا أقبل الليل من ها هنا وأدبر النهار من ها هنا وغربت الشمس فقد أفطر الصائم
“When the night comes from this side, and the day turns its back from that side, and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast.”
Sayyiduna Sahl ibn Sa'd رضي الله عنه said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لا تزال أمتي على سنتي ما لم تنتظر بفطرها النجوم
Reference: Mawarid al-Zaman: 891
My Ummah will always remain upon my Sunnah as long as they do not wait for the stars to break the fast.
From the above authentic hadiths, it is known that the time for iftar is sunset, so break the fast as soon as the sun sets, do not delay.
What should one break the fast with?
Sayyiduna Salman ibn Amir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إذا أفطر أحدكم فليفطر على تمر فإنه بركة فإن لم يجد فليفطر على ماء فإنه طهور
Reference: Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Zakat, Bab Ma Ja'a fi al-Sadaqah 'ala Dhi al-Qarabah (658), Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Ma Yuftiru 'alayhi (2355), Ahmad (4/18/17), Ibn Majah (1699), Darimi (1708), Mawarid al-Zaman (892)
When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates, for in them is blessing. If he does not find dates, then let him break his fast with water, for it is a purifier.
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يفطر على رطبات قبل أن يصلي فإن لم تكن رطبات فعلى تمرات فإن لم تكن حسا حسوات من ماء
Reference: Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Siyam, Bab Ma Yuftiru 'alayhi (2356), Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm, Bab Ma Ja'a Ma Yustahabbu 'alayhi al-Iftar (696), Dar Qutni (2/185), Mustadrak Hakim (1/432)
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would break his fast with a few fresh dates before praying. If fresh dates were not available, he would break his fast with dried dates. If those were also not found, he would take a few sips of water."
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrates:
ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قط صلى صلاة المغرب حتى يفطر ولو على شربة من ماء
"I never saw the Noble Prophet ﷺ pray Maghrib before breaking his fast, even if he broke it with just a sip of water."
From the above authentic Ahadith, it is known that it is better to break the fast with dates, and if dates are not available, then one should break the fast with water. Due to fasting, the body experiences weakness and debility; dates provide strength to the body. Dates are a very beneficial and nourishing food.
Supplication for Breaking the Fast:.
Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates: When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would break his fast, he would say:
ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله
“Thirst has departed, the veins have been moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.”
This supplication is also recited:
اللهم إني لك صمت وعلى رزقك أفطرت
This supplication is found in a mursal narration, and mursal narrations are among the categories of weak narrations according to the muhaddithin.
Providing Iftar for a Fasting Person:
Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من فطر صائما أو جهز غازيا فله مثل أجره
Reference: Mawarid al-Zaman: 891
“Whoever provides iftar for a fasting person, or equips a ghazi (warrior) for jihad, will have a reward similar to theirs.”
