He was asked:

A man was intimate with his wife while hearing someone speaking at the predawn meal, but he could not tell whether the man was eating his predawn meal or making the call to prayer. He then thought it more likely that the man was eating, so he had intercourse with his wife. Shortly afterwards, dawn broke. What is required of him? Please give us a ruling, and may you be rewarded.

He replied:

The scholars hold three opinions on this matter:

The first is that he must make up the fast and offer expiation. This is one of the two opinions reported from Ahmad.

Mālik said that he need only make up the fast. This is also the other opinion reported from Ahmad, and it is the position of al-Shāfiʿī, Abū Hanīfah and others.

The third is that he is required neither to make up the fast nor to offer expiation. This is what the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, and it is the strongest opinion; also because Allah Most High has pardoned mistakes