Breaking the Fast Early Due to an Adhan Error Before Maghrib – Ruling on Making Up the Fast
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 140
In our mosque during Ramadan, the mu’adhdhin mistakenly gave the Maghrib adhan five minutes earlier than the correct time. People opened their fast before actual sunset. Some scholars said only the mu’adhdhin must make up the fast, while others ruled that everyone who broke the fast early must make it up. What is the correct ruling according to the Qur’an and Sunnah?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Incident in the Time of the Prophet ﷺ:
Asmaʾ bint Abi Bakr (RA) said:
“In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, we broke our fast on a cloudy day, then the sun appeared.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, H. 1959)
Hisham ibn ʿUrwah commented:
“It is necessary to make up the fast.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1959)
Incident of ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA):
On a cloudy day, ʿUmar (RA) broke his fast thinking the sun had set, but it later appeared. He said:
“The matter is easy; we acted upon our judgment.”
(Muwattaʾ Imam Malik, H. 820 – authentic chain)
Imam Malik explained that ʿUmar meant making up the fast, considering it a minor matter.
Scholarly Consensus:
﴿ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ﴾
“Then complete your fast until the night (Maghrib).” (Al-Baqarah: 187)
Here, the mu’adhdhin gave the adhan 5 minutes early and people broke their fast before actual sunset. However:
“Indeed, Allah has pardoned my ummah for mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do.”
(al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 7/356 – authenticated by al-Hakim and agreed upon by al-Dhahabi)
The Qur’an also says:
﴿وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِ﴾ (Al-Ahzab: 5)
❖ In this specific case, because the early breaking of the fast was due to an honest mistake, qada is not obligatory for the congregation or the mu’adhdhin.
❖ If the mu’adhdhin acted with due care and still erred, he is excused.
❖ This is also the view of scholars such as Mawlana Hafiz Abdul Hameed Azhar.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 140Question
In our mosque during Ramadan, the mu’adhdhin mistakenly gave the Maghrib adhan five minutes earlier than the correct time. People opened their fast before actual sunset. Some scholars said only the mu’adhdhin must make up the fast, while others ruled that everyone who broke the fast early must make it up. What is the correct ruling according to the Qur’an and Sunnah?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Evidence from the Sunnah
Incident in the Time of the Prophet ﷺ:
Asmaʾ bint Abi Bakr (RA) said:
“In the time of the Prophet ﷺ, we broke our fast on a cloudy day, then the sun appeared.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, H. 1959)
Hisham ibn ʿUrwah commented:
“It is necessary to make up the fast.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1959)
Incident of ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA):
On a cloudy day, ʿUmar (RA) broke his fast thinking the sun had set, but it later appeared. He said:
“The matter is easy; we acted upon our judgment.”
(Muwattaʾ Imam Malik, H. 820 – authentic chain)
Imam Malik explained that ʿUmar meant making up the fast, considering it a minor matter.
Scholarly Consensus:
- Majority of scholars, including the Shafiʿi, Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, say qada (making up the fast) is obligatory in such cases.
- This is based on the verse:
﴿ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ﴾
“Then complete your fast until the night (Maghrib).” (Al-Baqarah: 187)
Ruling in the Present Case
Here, the mu’adhdhin gave the adhan 5 minutes early and people broke their fast before actual sunset. However:
- The mistake falls under error (خطأ) and forgetfulness (نسيان).
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah has pardoned my ummah for mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do.”
(al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 7/356 – authenticated by al-Hakim and agreed upon by al-Dhahabi)
The Qur’an also says:
﴿وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِ﴾ (Al-Ahzab: 5)
Conclusion
❖ In this specific case, because the early breaking of the fast was due to an honest mistake, qada is not obligatory for the congregation or the mu’adhdhin.
❖ If the mu’adhdhin acted with due care and still erred, he is excused.
❖ This is also the view of scholars such as Mawlana Hafiz Abdul Hameed Azhar.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
