You stop eating in Ramadan at true dawn (Fajr time) , not at sunrise.

Quick Scoop

  • The daily fast runs from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib).
  • You may eat and drink all night , from after Maghrib (iftar) until Fajr (suhoor time).
  • The exact cut‑off is when Fajr begins on a reliable prayer timetable or app for your city.
  • Many scholars say it is recommended , not obligatory, to stop a few minutes before Fajr to be on the safe side (often about 5–10 minutes).

Simple rule of thumb

  • If Fajr is at 6:12 am , you can eat until 6:12 am , but it is better to aim to stop around 6:00 am.
  • Once Fajr has started , continuing to eat or drink on purpose breaks the fast.

Suhoor and Iftar Timing

  • Suhoor (pre‑dawn meal):
    • Time window: from after Isha/tarawih until Fajr begins.
* Best practice: delay suhoor **close to Fajr** to follow the prophetic practice and have more energy.
  • Iftar (breaking the fast):
    • You break the fast immediately at sunset (Maghrib) without delaying.
* Traditionally with dates and water, then the Maghrib prayer, then the main meal.

Common Forum Questions (Trending Style)

“Do I have to stop 10–15 minutes before Fajr because of imsak time?”

  • Many modern timetables show an “imsak” line (extra stop‑eating time before Fajr).
  • A number of scholars and online discussions say the actual Sharia cut‑off is true Fajr , not an arbitrary 10–15 minutes earlier, and that making those extra minutes obligatory is an innovation.
  • Still, lots of Muslims choose to stop a few minutes early as a precaution , especially in places where true dawn is hard to see (e.g., big cities, Europe).

“What if the adhan is a bit late or early?”

  • The real reference is the astronomical Fajr time , not the exact adhan moment.
  • If the adhan is called on time and you already have food in your mouth , many scholars say you can swallow what is there but should not take another bite.

Mini Multi‑View: Strict vs. Precaution

[9][1] [1][5][9]
View When to stop eating Reasoning
Strict to the text Exactly at Fajr start time as shown on a sound timetable. Quran allows eating “until” dawn; no extra buffer required.
Precaution (popular view) About 5–10 minutes before Fajr. Avoids accidentally eating after true dawn, especially where dawn is hard to recognize.

Practical Tips for This Ramadan

  • Use a reliable local timetable or masjid app for Fajr and Maghrib times.
  • Plan suhoor so you finish calmly a few minutes before Fajr, instead of eating right at the last second.
  • If you have health issues , forums often advise checking with a doctor and a trusted scholar rather than guessing.

TL;DR: During Ramadan, you stop eating at Fajr (true dawn) and start eating again at Maghrib (sunset) , with many people choosing to stop a few minutes before Fajr for safety but not as a strict requirement.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.