Eating suhoor during the Fajr call to prayer invalidates the fast, and the person must provide atonement (kafara). The person fasting is required to stop eating and drinking as soon as the Fajr call begins, and if there is any food in the mouth, it must be spit out.
Ramadan, or the Blessed Ramadan, is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which fasting is obligatory for Muslims. Observing fasting and worship during this month is considered an essential part of the identity of Muslims around the world today. Numerous virtues of Ramadan are mentioned in the narrations. It is considered the month of God's invitation, the month of mercy, forgiveness, blessings, and the spring of the Quran. According to hadiths, during this month, the doors of Heaven are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed. The Night of Qadr, the night when the Quran was revealed, falls within this month. Some other holy scriptures, such as the Torah and the Gospel, were also revealed in this month. Ramadan is the only month mentioned by name in the Quran. This month holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims, and they devote themselves to worship during it. There are various religious practices and prayers prescribed for this month. Some of the most significant practices include reciting the Quran, reviving the Nights of Qadr, praying, seeking forgiveness, breaking the fast, and helping the needy. Imam Ali (A.S.), the first Shiite Imam, was martyred on the 21st of Ramadan. Imam Hassan (A.S.) was born on the 15th of this month in the 3rd year of the lunar calendar. In Muslim communities, various customs and traditions have developed for Ramadan, including gatherings, cleaning mosques and religious places, reconciliation ceremonies, preparation of sweets and foods for the month, etc. In this context, we will explore the Islamic ruling on eating suhoor during the Fajr call to prayer.
A person who is capable of investigation but fails to check whether dawn has arrived and acts in a way that invalidates the fast, and it later turns out that dawn had already broken before their action, must continue their fast for the day and make up for it afterward. There is no expiation (kafara) required. However, according to caution, even if the person was unable to investigate, the fast must be made up.
If someone investigates and is unsure whether dawn has arrived, or they doubt it after their investigation, in the first case, it is obligatory to make up for the fast, and in the second case, it is recommended to do so.
If the investigation leads to the assumption that it is still night, then according to the most valid opinion, making up for the fast is not obligatory.
If a person investigates and is certain that dawn has not yet arrived and eats, and it is later found that dawn had indeed arrived, their fast is valid.
According to the opinion of all marja’ (religious authorities), as soon as the Fajr call begins, which is calculated according to astronomical methods and verified by specialists and broadcast by the media, the fasting person must refrain from eating and drinking, as the time for fasting begins. If they do not, their fast becomes invalid, and expiation (kafara) is required, and they must make up for that fast.
It is recommended that believers observe caution and refrain from eating and drinking when the Fajr call to prayer begins, as broadcast by the media, and to begin the morning prayer 5 to 6 minutes after the call to prayer.
It is obligatory for believers to refrain from eating and drinking before the Fajr call to prayer, and it is recommended to begin prayer 5 minutes after the call ends. If someone is eating or drinking and realizes that the Fajr call has begun, they must spit out any food in their mouth. If they knowingly swallow it, their fast is invalid, and they must make expiation. If someone eats or drinks without knowing that the Fajr call has started and stops before the call ends, their fast is valid as an exception.
The condition for refraining from eating and drinking is that the true dawn (Fajr Sadiq) has occurred. Therefore, if the Fajr call coincides with the true dawn, or if the muezzin's call gives certainty that the time for Fajr has begun, it is obligatory to refrain from eating and drinking.
If you are certain that the time has entered, you may not eat anything.
