The Shaykh’s remarks on delaying the pre-dawn meal, as mentioned in the hadith: “My community will remain in a state of well-being as long as they hasten to break their fast and delay the pre-dawn meal.”

The Shaykh : The other matter I wish to remind you of is what came in the previous hadith That is: what is required is the opposite of breaking the fast. We were commanded by him (peace and blessings be upon him) to hasten in breaking the fast, whereas the pre-dawn meal should be delayed. The reality today is the complete opposite, as many people take their pre-dawn meal before the dawn appears, perhaps an hour before. This is not what is prescribed; it is contrary to the verbal Sunnah and the practical Sunnah. The Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to delay their pre-dawn meal until one of them could almost hear the call to prayer while eating. They delayed the pre-dawn meal. In fact, an authentic hadith came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) explaining the ease of Islam, which is considered—and peace be upon you—one of the principles of Islam that Muslims take pride in, especially those related to fasting. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) concluded the verses He cited regarding fasting with His saying (Mighty and Majestic) . So, from the ease is His saying (peace and blessings be upon him) , . The vessel of food, whether it is milk, a drink, water, or anything else with which the person taking the pre-dawn meal eats, if he hears the call to prayer, he should not say, “Now food is forbidden.” Food does not become forbidden by the call to prayer for one who is already satisfied with it. It is not permissible for him to add more drink or fruit if he has already had his fill of everything he was eating. However, if he hears the call to prayer and has not yet finished taking his need of food and drink, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permits him to do so. He says explicitly and in clear Arabic or . The intended meaning of “the call” here is the second call, the second adhan.