Waking up

Q: On the first day of Ramadan this year, I woke up to the Adhan (call to Prayer) of Fajr (Dawn) Prayer. Upon hearing the Mu'adhin (caller to Prayer) announcing (Allah is the Greatest) at the beginning of Adhan (call to Prayer), I rushed to a bottle of water and continued to drink water until hearing him announce (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) in the same Adhan. I had already prepared the Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast). Yet I had only what I have mentioned. My question is:1- Is my Sawm (Fast) valid or not?2- If my Sawm is not valid, should I offer Kaffarah (expiation) besides making up (for) that day?It is worth mentioning that the Adhan was announced according to the time appointed for the Mother of Towns (Makkah) stated in the calendars. I hope that you will answer my inquiry soon since I intend, if Allah wills, to fast the six days of Shawwal. Thus, I can be on my guard if I have to make up (for) that day. May Allah reward you with what is best!

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned and you knew that the light of Dawn had not appeared yet, (Part No. 10; Page No. 294) then your Sawm is valid because the basic principle here is that it was still night time. Yet in future you should have Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast) to preserve your religion and to ensure the validity of your Sawm. As for making up for the missed days of the obligatory Sawm, this should be fulfilled before fasting the six days of Shawwal.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.