imsak

Imsak is an Islamic term referring to the time at which a Muslim begins to abstain from eating, drinking, and intimate activities in anticipation of the day’s fast during Ramadan. The word imsak comes from an Arabic root meaning to desist or refrain. In practice, imsak marks the end of the pre-dawn meal (sahur) and the moment before the dawn prayer begins.

Fajr, the start of the fast, begins at true dawn. Imsak is typically observed a short interval before fajr to help ensure the fast is maintained and to prevent accidental eating or drinking. The exact duration between imsak and fajr varies by region and tradition.

Determination of imsak is usually based on local timetables. Muslim communities publish imsakiyyah calendars that list daily imsak times alongside fajr, sunset, and other prayers. These times can be calculated using astronomical methods or derived from local dawn sightings, and some places use fixed offsets before fajr. Because twilight and dawn angles differ by location and method, imsak times differ from one city to another.

Culturally, imsak is most commonly observed during Ramadan, though some communities use the term in other fasting contexts. While imsak serves as a practical cue to stop eating, the religious obligation is the fast itself, which begins at fajr, not imsak. Thus, imsak functions as a precautionary or customary time rather than a formal religious deadline.