Doubt regarding the appearance of dawn
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Question: What is the ruling for one who doubts whether the dawn has appeared? Is he permitted to eat and drink, or must he abstain until he is certain of its appearance, or does he act upon the doubt? Please inform us of this, may Allah reward you.
Answer: Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: [Surat al-Baqarah: 187]. So, if he is certain that the dawn has appeared, eating and drinking become forbidden for him, and it is obligatory for him to abstain.
And if he is not certain and remains in doubt whether the dawn has appeared or not, the precaution for him is to refrain from eating and drinking, as a matter of precaution and avoiding doubtful matters, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan an-Nasa'i 5711Sahih (Darussalam),And by his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Bulugh al-Maram 16:32. So, the best course is for him to abstain and leave off eating and drinking, as long as he fears that the dawn has appeared.
Answer: Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says:
And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]
وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِAnd if he is not certain and remains in doubt whether the dawn has appeared or not, the precaution for him is to refrain from eating and drinking, as a matter of precaution and avoiding doubtful matters, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):