The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Eat and drink; let not the white and ascending light prevent you from (eating and drinking); so eat and drink until the red light spreads horizontally.
Hadith Text and Context
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Eat and drink; let not the white and ascending light prevent you from (eating and drinking); so eat and drink until the red light spreads horizontally." (Sunan Abi Dawud 2348)
This noble hadith from the Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Siyam) provides crucial guidance regarding the time for stopping the pre-dawn meal (suhur) and beginning the fast.
Explanation of Key Terms
"The white and ascending light" refers to the vertical streak of whiteness that appears in the eastern horizon before true dawn (fajr). This is the false dawn (al-fajr al-kadhib) which does not mark the beginning of fasting.
"The red light spreads horizontally" indicates the true dawn (al-fajr al-sadiq), characterized by a horizontal illumination across the horizon that gradually whitens. This marks the actual beginning of fasting time.
Legal Rulings and Applications
Scholars unanimously agree that this hadith establishes the permissibility of eating and drinking until the appearance of true dawn. The distinction between false and true dawn is essential for determining the correct time for commencing the fast.
One may continue eating and drinking even after seeing the vertical light of false dawn, as this does not invalidate the fast. The prohibition only begins with the horizontal spread of light indicating true dawn.
Practical Implementation
In contemporary times, Muslims should rely on accurate prayer timetables that calculate true dawn based on astronomical data. When in doubt, one should exercise caution but not exceed the established time limits.
This prophetic guidance demonstrates Allah's mercy in facilitating worship and preventing unnecessary hardship, while maintaining the integrity of the fast's prescribed timings.