Responding to the Adhaan at the time of Iftaar

There is no doubt that responding to the Adhaan is of utmost importance. However, besides it being Sunnah to hasten in making Iftaar, there is a natural urge within one to make Iftaar (as soon as the time of Iftaar enters). By engaging in Iftaar at the time of Adhaan, the position of responding to the Adhaan being a Sunnah will not be affected in any way. Hence, the best way of resolving the issue will be by making Iftaar the moment the time of Iftaar enters, and thereafter the Adhaan is called so that people may easily respond to the Adhaan, but this will only be possible in certain places.

As for the general masses, they use the Adhaan as an indication or sign to break their fast. In this case, one may reply to the Adhaan whilst partaking of Iftaar. It is not impossible to fulfil both tasks at the same time (as Iftaar is generally made with dates and water). However, one should remember that it is best to hasten in making Iftaar; it is recorded in the Kitaabs of Fiqh that it is Mustahab to make Iftaar before the Maghrib Salaah. [Re:- Fataawa Uthmaaniyyah Pg.193 Vol.4]