Taking of Sehri is Sunnah. If one is not hungryand has no desire to eat, then two or three dates or some otherlight food may be taken or some water at least should be drunk.
If anyone woke up and did not eat anything asSehri but only chewed a beta leaf, then he will get the credit ofSehri.
As far as possible the taking of Sehri should bedelayed but not so much that the dawn may appear and put thefast in doubt.
If Sehri is taken early but continued to take teaetc. for long and gargled near dawn, then the credit of delayedSehri is gained.
If anyone did not wake up for Sehri and allremained asleep, then fast should be observed without it. It is asin and also cowardice not to keep a last because of not eatingSehri.
It is permissible to take Sehri till Fajr time starts andnot after that.
If any one woke up late for Sehri and under theimpression that it was still night took Sehri but it revealed laterthat it was after dawn, then the fast was not accomplished and itshould be kept as a missed fast but recompense is not due. Buteven then nothing should be eaten or drunk and one shouldbehave like fasting ones. In the same way if fast is brokenthinking that the sun had set but the sun appeared after a while,then the fast is breached and should be kept as a postponed fastbut no recompense is due, and it is also not proper how to eat ordrink till the sun has actually set.
If the waking up was so much delayed that itwas suspected to be dawn, then to eat or drink anything now isexecrable and it would be a sin to do so. It after eating something it was confirmed that it was dawn, then a missed fastshould be kept and if it is still doubt then a postponed fast is notessential. But as a precaution a postponed fast may be kept.
It is appreciable to break the fast as soon asthe sun has definitely set. To delay after that is execrable.
On cloudy days the fast should be brokenwith some delay till it is definite that the sun would have set.The watches or clocks should not be relied upon as they may gowrong. Even if someone has called the Azaan and the setting ofsun is still doubtful, fast should not be opened till your own heartis satisfied about the time.
It is appreciable to break the fast with datesor with some other sweet thing, but if any of these is not available, then with water. Some men and women open fast with a bit of salt and think it to be creditable. It is a wrong belief.