❀ Question:
If a fasting person drinks something after hearing the Fajr adhan, is his fast valid?
① If the Mu'adhdhin gives the adhan after the actual appearance of Fajr (subh sadiq),
→ then eating or drinking after the adhan is not permissible, and doing so invalidates the fast.
② If the Mu'adhdhin gives the adhan before Fajr has actually begun,
→ then there is no harm in eating or drinking, as it is still night.
This ruling is based on Allah’s statement:
فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
"So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]."
[Al-Baqarah: 187]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Bilal gives the adhan at night, so eat and drink until you hear the adhan of Ibn Umm Maktum, for he does not give the adhan until Fajr begins."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1918–1919 | Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1092]
Therefore, it is essential for Mu'adhdhins to ensure that they give the adhan only after verifying the true appearance of Fajr, either by direct observation or by relying on accurate timepieces,
→ so that people are not deprived of what Allah has made lawful,
→ and so Fajr prayer is not mistakenly initiated before its time.
This is a critical matter that must be handled with care.
– Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله
If a fasting person drinks something after hearing the Fajr adhan, is his fast valid?
✔ Answer:
If a fasting person drinks something after hearing the Fajr adhan, then two scenarios are to be considered:① If the Mu'adhdhin gives the adhan after the actual appearance of Fajr (subh sadiq),
→ then eating or drinking after the adhan is not permissible, and doing so invalidates the fast.
② If the Mu'adhdhin gives the adhan before Fajr has actually begun,
→ then there is no harm in eating or drinking, as it is still night.
This ruling is based on Allah’s statement:
فَالْآنَ بَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَابْتَغُوا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ
"So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]."
[Al-Baqarah: 187]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
"Bilal gives the adhan at night, so eat and drink until you hear the adhan of Ibn Umm Maktum, for he does not give the adhan until Fajr begins."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1918–1919 | Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1092]
Therefore, it is essential for Mu'adhdhins to ensure that they give the adhan only after verifying the true appearance of Fajr, either by direct observation or by relying on accurate timepieces,
→ so that people are not deprived of what Allah has made lawful,
→ and so Fajr prayer is not mistakenly initiated before its time.
This is a critical matter that must be handled with care.
– Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله
