Making and Announcement for Sehri

Q: Saum-3: It has been the practice from a long time for the Salaam to be recited in our village when the time for Sehri is drawing to a close. The Salaam recited is "As Salaam was Salaam Alayka Yaa Rasululla SAW. and this is recited with the names of the other Ambiyaa ALY. as well. Hearing this, the people know that the time for Sehri is coming to an end and they will have to stop eating.

A Moulana in the village now says that this conflicts with the Sunnah of Rasulullaah SAW. He says that two Adhaans need to be called out; one to announce the closing time of Sehri and the other to announce the time for Fajr. In support of this, he quotes a Hadith from the first volume of Bukhaari which states that Hadhrat Bilaal RADI. was appointed to call out the Adhaan for Sehri and Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Ummu Maktoom RADI. was appointed for calling out the Adhaan for Fajr. He says that this is the Sunnah practice. Since hearing this, the recitation of the Salaam has stopped and one Adhaan is called out to announce the closing time of Sehri and the other to announce the time for Fajr.

Please comment on the above with detailed references, stating whether it is permissible for the Adhaan to replace the Salaam. What needs to be done to inform the people that the time of Sehri is ending?

Answer: It is neither Sunnah to call out the Adhaan nor the Salaam to announce the ending of Sehri. Since everyone has watches, they are easily able to tell the end of Sehri themselves. If need be, the people may be informed by an announcement. but this should not be regarded as Sunnah. In a narration of Bayhaqi, Rasulullaah SAW. clearly prohibited Hadhrat Bilaal RADI. from calling out the Adhaan before Subh Saadiq when he said, "O Bilaal! Do not call out the Adhaan until after dawn has broken. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3