Question
A Shaikh in Dubai has issued a fatwa to the effect that those high up in skyscrapers have to make iftaar a couple of minutes later than those in the lower floors. The skyscraper in Dubai is 828 metres high with 160 stories. People in this building, according to Shaikh Ahmad Haddad's fatwa, have to break the fast at three different times. Those living on the lower floors – 80 and below – have to break fast at the same time as all others when the Athaan for Maghrib is recited. Those from 80 floors to 150, have to make iftaar two minutes after the Athaan on the ground. Those above 150 floors have to break fast three minutes later. The same applies to their Maghrib Salaat. Is this correct? If those on the top stories perform Maghrib Salaat when they hear the Athaan in the Musaajid, will their Salaat be valid?
Answer
The fatwa is correct. Maghrib and Iftaar are valid only when the sun has disappeared from sight. Those on the upper floors are still able to see the sun which has set for those at the bottom, hence they have to make iftaar after the sun has disappeared from their sight. If they break the fast together with those at the bottom whilst they are still able to see the sun, then their fast will not be valid. Similarly, their Maghrib Salaat will not be valid if they follow those on the ground.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 21 No 07
- PDF page
- 4
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).