A person used to stop drinking in Ramadan after hearing Iqamah for Fajr Prayer

Q: I used to stop drinking in Ramadan after hearing Iqamah (call to start the Prayer) of the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer. I continued doing this after reaching the age of Taklif (meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for actions). This was out of ignorance, as there was no one to (Part No. 9; Page No. 183) guide me. Allah knows that I do not exactly know the number of days on which I used to drink until hearing the Iqamah; however, I know the number of years, namely nine months of fasting, of which I have fasted nearly one month and a half as Kaffarah (expiation).

A: It is obligatory on you to make up for the months in which you did not abstain from food until hearing the Iqamah, as you ate and drank during daylight hours. You are to blame because you should have asked and consulted (Muslim scholars) regarding this matter, but you did not. In this regard, Allah (Exalted be He) states: ...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 Saum (fast) till the nightfall. Also, it is obligatory on you to make up for that period, and to give Kaffarah due to delaying fasting for another Ramadan, i.e., feeding a Miskin (a needy person) for every day, which is half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food such as barley or the like.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.