Q. 429. We have seen in some calendars that during Ramadan there is a section called Al-Imsak. It is situated about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour before the Fajr prayer. Is there any basis for this in the Sunnah, or is it an innovation? Deliver a legal verdict for us and may you be rewarded.
A. This is a form of innovation, and there is no basis for it in the Sunnah. Indeed, the Sunnah contradicts it, because Allah says in His Mighty Book:
“. . .and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)” [1]
And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said;
“Bilal makes the Athan at night, so eat and drink until you hear the Athan of Ibn Umm Maktum, because he does not call the Athan until Fajr begins.” [2]
This Imssak (time to stop eating and drinking) which some people regulate is an addition to what Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful has enjoined, and so it is invalid and it is extreme, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Ruined are those who indulge in extremism, ruined are those who indulge in extremism, ruined are those who indulge in extremism.” [3]
Footnotes:
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:187
[2] Reported by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Fasting, in the Chapter: The Statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) “Do not Let the Athan of Bilal Prevent You” (1918); and by Muslim in the Book of Fasting, in the Chapter: Clarification That Fasting Starts With the Beginning of Fajr (1092).
[3] Reported by Muslim in the Book of Fasting, in the Chapter: Ruined are Those Who Indulge in Tanattu’ (2670).
From the Book “Fatawa Arkanul-Islam “
Islamic Verdicts on the Pillars of Islam (Volume Two)
By the Honorable Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih Al- ‘Uthaimeen
Ramdhan & Fasting Index Page – https://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/
AbdurRahman.Org 