Praise Be to Allah. Allah’s Peace and Blessings Be upon Prophet Mohammad.
It is well known in Islamic law that the time for obligatory fasting begins at the true dawn (Fajr Al-Sadiq). At that time, one must abstain from anything that breaks the fast. However, the cannon firing that people are accustomed to (madfa al-imsak) is just a reminder that dawn is approaching, and it does not carry any religious ruling, because the fasting time begins with the true dawn. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said “Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till Ibn Um Maktum pronounces the Adhan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn”
Accordingly, there is no harm in eating or drinking after the cannon firing and before the Fajr call to prayer. Once the Fajr call to prayer is made, abstaining from anything that breaks the fast becomes obligatory. Allah knows best.
