Dawn Dilemma: When Fajr Is Called, Stop Eating
Question: Is there a hadith that says, “If you’re eating and hear the Fajr prayer call, don’t stop eating until you’re done”?
Answer: Yes, there’s a hadith that states, “If one of you hears the call while his vessel is in his hand, let him not put it down until he has satisfied his need from it,” reported by Abu Dawud from Abu Huraira and recognized as authentic. However, interpreting this hadith requires care. Most Islamic scholars advise stopping eating once the Fajr prayer call is heard to ensure the fast is properly observed. Here’s a closer look:
- The hadith means when there’s uncertainty about the actual time for Fajr. Al-Manawi explains, “Until he has satisfied his need from it” means one may finish their meal as long as they do not realize or strongly suspect that dawn has arrived.
- The prayer call in question could have been Bilal’s for the Tahajjud prayer, not the Fajr prayer.
- In situations of scholarly disagreement, choosing the safer option to ensure an acts validity is recommended.
- The hadith doesn’t explicitly mention it’s the Fajr prayer call; it simply states “hears the call,” which could potentially refer to any prayer time, including Isha.
Therefore, to ensure the fast is correctly observed, it’s best to stop eating as soon as you hear the Fajr prayer call.
Allah knows,
Suhaib Webb