What Is the Sign of Sunset?

Question

Iftar should take place immediately after sunset, but what is sunset? Is it the name for the upper edge of the sun disappearing from sight, or is darkness from the east (zulma min al-mashriq) also necessary for sunset, as is made a condition in “Shami”, vol. 2?

Answer

At the very moment the body (jirm) of the sun disappears, darkness appears from the east. Since not everyone’s gaze falls upon the body of the sun, the appearance of darkness has been made its sign, for it is something perceptible to the senses which everyone recognises. The meaning of the text of “Shami” is the same.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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