“If one of you hears the call to prayer while holding a vessel, he should not set it down until he has relieved himself from it.”
Narrated by Aḥmad (No. 10629), Abū Dāwūd (No. 2350), and al-Ḥākim (No. 729), from the ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Authenticated in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi‘(No. 607) and in Sunan Abū Dāwūd (No. 2035).
Brief Explanation of the Hadith
Fasting is a great act of worship founded upon discipline and adherence. Among the essentials for fulfilling its objectives is knowledge of its proper timing and abstention from what breaks the fast. It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “If one hears the call to prayer while holding a vessel, he must not set it down until he has discharged its contents.”
Scholars differ regarding the meaning of “the call” mentioned here. Some said it refers to the general call to the five daily prayers: when one hears the muezzin, he should complete his eating and drinking before attending the prayer, even if he misses the first row. Others — and this is the stronger view — hold that it specifically refers to the Fajr call, due to its connection with the rulings of abstention. Thus, if the call to Fajr is made while one is taking his suḥūr, he may complete it until he has discharged its contents. However, this applies only to one who has not yet confirmed the appearance of dawn. If one knows the Fajr has truly begun, it is not permissible to continue eating or drinking, as Allah, the Exalted, says: {…and eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread of night.} (al-Baqarah 2:187)
It is also said that if one has already begun drinking and then hears the call to prayer, he may complete what he is drinking but should not start a new drink. This illustrates a principle in which continuation is excused, whereas initiating would not be.
The ḥadīth further indicates the permissibility of suḥūr, showing that abstention (imsāk) begins only with the actual appearance of dawn, not merely upon hearing the call, if it does not coincide with it.