Performing Fajr in Ramadan at the Very Start of Its Time

Question

In blessed Ramadan it has become a widespread practice that as soon as the time of suhur ends, the adhan is immediately given, the two [rak‘as of] sunna are prayed, and the Fajr prayer is performed straight away. How long an interval should there be between the adhan and the prayer in prayers other than Maghrib? Is Ramadan an exception to the hadith “Pray Fajr when it has become light” (أسفروا بالفجر)? Is the aforementioned practice wrong or right? Is it better to pray in ghalas (darkness) or in isfar (light)?

Answer

The original position of the Hanafis is indeed this: [ar]أَسْفِرُوا بِالْفَجْرِ[/ar] “Pray Fajr when it has become light”, but the reason for it is increasing [the number in] the congregation. If in blessed Ramadan people attend the congregation in ghalas, while at isfar their number decreases — people fall asleep and the congregation or the prayer itself is missed — then…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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