Breaking the Fast before Adhan is proclaimed

Q: What is the ruling on a person who mistakenly breaks their fast five minutes before the Adhan (call to Prayer) of Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer is announced? The reason is related to miscalculation of time.

A: The time of the fast starts from the break of dawn until sunset. A person is required to make up for their fast if they mistakenly broke it before sunset. One should not solely depend on checking the time by looking at the clock when breaking the fast. The visualization of the setting of the sun must also be taken into consideration. This is because the day length differs from one day to another. (Part No. 9; Page No. 27) Q 2: What is the ruling on a person who starts the fast of Ramadan despite the fact that the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that the moon has not yet been sighted? A: It is not permissible to fast one or two days before ascertaining the beginning of Ramadan. Once it is announced that Ramadan has not yet started, one should not keep fasting; rather they have to break fast. This is based on the Hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Do not observe the fast a day or two ahead of Ramadan, except in the case that a person had already intended to observe a particular fast; in which case he may fast that day. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.