DOUBT IN THE BREAK OF DAWN
Even in the age of watches and alarm clocks, sometimes we doubt whether it is time to stop eating. In this event, one should eat and drink until he is certain and no longer in doubt about the break of dawn. No decision on Islamic deeds should be based on doubt. Allah (SWT) made the determining factor in every affair certainty. He (SWT) says:
"And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from it's black thread." (Al-Qur'an 2:184) As I mentioned earlier, by "White thread" is meant the light of the day. And "black thread" is meant darkness of the night. Hence, the verse is explicit in that eating and drinking are permitted until the doubt and uncertainty are removed from your mind.
A man told Ibn Abbas, (raa), that he observed Sahuur and he only stopped when he doubted about the break of dawn. Ibn Abbas (raa) instructed him to eat as long as he doubted until he doubts no more. Similar reports are attributed to many companions and scholars inferring from the above verse.
With the advance in time keeping technology, proliferation of wrist watches, and alarm clocks, the possibility of uncertainty is minimized, at least in the case of a believer who has a time keeping device. These time pieces can be set, not only to sound an alarm, but to call Al Adhan, recite some verse, or simply just tell you to get up for sahuur.
In the heartland of the Muslim world, the states take the responsibility for public announcements with the firing of cannons, or radio, or television announcements. There has evolved a special culture of Ramadan in many countries.
Working hours in some Muslim countries during Ramadan are changed to night, virtually changing or shifting daytime activities to night. In some countries, the governments are not involved in public announcements, but some families and volunteers over the years have taken the duty of wake-up calls by going door to door, in groups and individually in an attempt to wake up the city for Sahur.
It would be excellent if Muslims in non-Muslim countries try to adjust their annual vacations during Ramadan, so as to allow themselves the maximum use of the blessed month.
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