Imsak: The False Practice of Stopping Eating of Sahoor at a Predetermined Time

Imsak is the practice of stopping eating/drinking at a predetermined time before the adhaan of fajr.
When we were living in Egypt in a small village, each morning we would hear a big drum booming out Imsak, that it was time to stop eating (about 10 minutes or so) before the adhaan was to be called.

Imsak is impermissible.

1. Stop eating Suhoor (Al-Imsak) 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr ? – Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

2. And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Bilaal gives the adhaan at night, so eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes." This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to that which Allaah has enjoined, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." Narrated by Muslim, 2670

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy o­n him) said: "This shows that it is permissible to eat, drink, have intercourse etc until dawn comes."

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Baari (4/199): "One of the reprehensible innovations that have appeared in our times is giving the second adhaan approximately twenty minutes before Fajr in Ramadaan, and extinguishing the lamps which indicate that it is haraam to eat and drink for those who want to fast. Those who introduced this innovation claim that they are erring o­n the side of caution with regard to an act of worship."

What is obligatory o­n all Muslims is that they hold o­n firmly to the Qur'an and Sunnah and follow it as closely as o­ne can. This is a safeguard for us, so that we don't fall right or left but stay o­n the middle course. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) described the religion of Islaam that is a middle course between extreme and lenient. Remember these words of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): I leave behind me two things. You will never go astray if you hold fast to them: The Qur'an and my Sunnah.

O Allah! Render the thoughts and inclinations within my heart, to be Your fear and remembrance, and let my endeavour and desire be devoted to what You love and appreciate. Keep my feet firm o­n Thy Right Path so that I should not stagger, and guide me to the true Faith so that I should not go astray. Ameen!!!

Source : http://www.calgaryislam.com/imembers/displayarticle542.html (link no longer working)


For more about the practice of taking a sahoor (pre-dawn meal before fasting) as well as ideas for sahoor,  see:my Sahoor post

Phases of the Moon Foldable

Phases of the Moon foldable

Great for review. Comes with secular, Islamic, and blank answer sets. 

Black and White Printable (printed out on yellow paper below).

In the picture above, I glued the foldable onto a premade notebook page (with the heading and ayah). The notebook page is not included in the printable above (sorry I didn't specify that) but you can download it here: Phases of the Moon Heading Page

All About Suhoor

Suhoor*  Sahoor is the predawn meal that Muslims partake in before a day of fasting.
(*The act of eating the pre-dawn meal is "suhoor." The actual meal that is eaten is "sahoor." (Source: Ramadhan Lessons 2019, Lesson 2))

The Prophet (salAllahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.” and “Verily that which separates (i.e. distinguishes) between our fast and the fasting of the People of the Book (i.e. Jews and Christians) is the eating before dawn (Suhoor).” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Audios to Help Prepare Mentally for Ramadan