The ruling on the fasting of one who leaves off the pre-dawn meal

Question:
From the brother Abu 'Abd al-Aziz, a letter containing a collection of questions, one of which says: I ask your Eminence about the ruling on the fasting of one who did not eat the pre-dawn meal, whether his fasting is voluntary or obligatory? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
There is no blame on him; his fast is valid, even if he did not eat the pre-dawn meal, but he left off the recommended practice. The recommended practice is to eat the pre-dawn meal; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): in both the obligatory and the voluntary fast, the recommended practice is to eat the pre-dawn meal. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to eat the pre-dawn meal, so the recommended practice is to eat the pre-dawn meal with whatever is available, such as dates, or any food, or fruit. One eats the pre-dawn meal with whatever is available; this is the recommended practice, and one uses it to help with his fasting. If he fasted and did not eat the pre-dawn meal, there is no blame; his fast is valid. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) fasted with a group of the Companions for two days without a pre-dawn meal. Yes.
Without a pre-dawn meal, and without breaking the fast. Yes.

The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.