Question Summary:
When does the fasting time begin?

Question Detail:

During Ramadan Fasting, Many people have the belief that they can eat until Fajr Azaan is going on, i have heard that one should stop eating immediately when he hear the Azaan, but some people argue that it is allowed to eat until the last sound of Azaan , what is the right practice ?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykumwa-rahmatullāhiwa-barakātuh.
The fasting time begins from Subh Sadiq (True Dawn) until sunset. [1]Subh Sadiq refers to that time when the rays of the sun begin to spread over the horizon before sunrise. The Fajr time begins from Subh Sadiq and the Fajr Azaan is given during the Fajr time. Therefore, it will not be permissible for one who intends to fast to continue eating during the Fajr time.
One should obtain a copy of the Islamic Calendar Schedule from one’s local Muslim Organization and follow the Subh Sadiq timings. You may contact the Darul Iftaa, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the Islamic Schedule at the following link: www.alifta.com
Mufti Ismail Desai,
Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.