Is Imsak a strict deadline to stop eating?

Imsak is a caution marker before Subuh, not the fast's actual start time — the fast begins at Subuh (Fajr) itself. Many people choose to stop eating at Imsak as a safety margin.

Iftar is at Maghrib, when the sun sets — the exact clock time depends on your JAKIM zone or location.

Imsak, Sahur and Iftar: what's the difference?

During Ramadan, three time markers structure each fasting day. They're often mentioned together, but each means something different.

Sahur

Sahur is the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins. It's encouraged in Islamic practice as a source of strength for the day ahead, and can be eaten any time before Subuh — though most people finish by Imsak.

Imsak

Imsak is a caution marker shortly before Subuh (Fajr) — commonly observed as around 10 minutes earlier, though this isn't a universal fixed rule. It signals that Sahur should be wrapping up, giving a safety margin before the fast's actual start at Subuh. Where JAKIM's published schedule includes an explicit Imsak time for a zone, MasjidMe shows that official figure rather than estimating one.

Iftar (berbuka puasa)

Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast, eaten at Maghrib once the sun has set. Unlike Imsak, Iftar has one clear, official time — it's simply the Maghrib time for your zone.

Today's Imsak & Iftar times Waktu Solat Malaysia