The fasting day
The fasting day starts at first light, which is some time before sunrise and is defined as the time at which the white thread can be distinguished from the black thread, and the white light is seen on the Eastern horizon. The fasting day ends when the sun sets and disappears completely below the horizon.
"So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall"
(Qur'an - 2: 187)
The person who intends to fast may eat, drink etc as long as they have no doubt that dawn has come. If dawn comes and the person has food or drink in his/her mouth or is engaged in intercourse, then providing they spit out the food/drink or stop intercourse, then their fast will still be valid Insha-Allah (if Allah wills). It is bid'ah (an innovation) to have a time (e.g. 10 minutes before the time for dawn comes) when eating etc must cease. The time that fasting starts has been clearly stated in the verse above.
Care should be taken to ensure that the sun has indeed set, and the fasting person should be wary of relying on unreliable sources such as young children for determining this, lest the day has to be repeated.
The intention to fast the
next day should be made in the heart the night before, it does not need to
be spoken. Some scholars are of the opinion that it is sufficient to make intention at the beginning of Ramadaan
to fast the whole month, without having to make intention each night,
unless the fasting is interrupted (due to illness, travel etc) and the
person resumes fasting again later in Ramadaan, in which case the
intention should be renewed.
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