The Interval Between Imsak and Fajr

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 19 Ramadan 1423, 24 November 2002


Q.) What is the reason for the time approx 10 minutes in between the end of Suhur (Imsak) and the beginning of Fajr? A brother I was speaking to said that there should not be a gap and that we should end eating when it is time for Fajr. Are both opinions correct? And what is the daleel for them? [Irfan Parekh]

A.) The time for fasting commences at Subah Sadiq (true dawn). That is also the commencing time for Fajr Salat. The ten minutes is to exercise precaution to avoid eating after Subah Sadiq. If one is sure of the time he may eat till subah sadiq. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best