differ by being set earlier or later. Thus, if the sun has set while you can see it, but the people have not yet given the call to prayer, then you may break your fast. But if they give the call to prayer while you can see that it has not set, then you may not break your fast, because the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When night approaches from this direction”—and he pointed toward the east—“and day departs from this direction”—and he pointed toward the west—“and the sun has set, then the fasting person has broken his fast.” (1)
The continued presence of strong light does not matter. Some people say, “We should wait until the disc has disappeared and it has begun to grow somewhat dark.” But this carries no weight. Rather, look at the sun’s disc: once its upper edge has disappeared, the sun has set and it is sunnah to break the fast.
The evidence that it is sunnah to hasten this is:
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The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “People will remain upon goodness so long as they hasten to break the fast.” (2) From this we know that those who delay breaking the fast until the stars are intermingled, like the Rafidah, are not upon goodness.
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It is narrated that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said: “The most beloved of My servants to Me are those who are quickest to break the fast.” (3) This is because it involves promptly partaking of what Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, has made lawful. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is Generous, and the generous person loves for people to enjoy his generosity. Thus, He loves that His servants promptly partake of what Allah has made lawful for them as soon as the sun has set.