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SeventyMattersRelatedto

Fasting

SheikhMuhammadSalihAlMunajjid

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FirstEdition,1425/2004
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Introduction
PraisebetoAllaah,wepraiseHimandseekHishelpandforgiveness.We
seekrefugewithAllaahfromtheevilofourownselvesandfromourevil
deeds.WhomsoeverAllaahguidescannotbemisled,andwhomsoeverHe
leavesastraycannotbeguided.Ibearwitnessthatthereisnogodexcept
Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that
MuhammadisHisslaveandMessenger.
Allaah has blessed His slaves by assigning for them certain seasons of
goodness in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied,
sayyi`aat (bad deeds) are forgiven, peoples statuses are raised and the
hearts of believers turn to their Master. Those who purify themselves
attainsuccess and those who corrupt themselves fail. Allaah has created
HisslavestoworshipHim,asHesays:
AndI(Allaah)creatednotthejinnsandhumansexceptthatthey
shouldworshipMe(Alone).[SurahadhDhaariyaat51:56]
One of the greatest acts of worship is fasting, which Allaah has made
obligatoryonHisslaves.He()says:
Observing alsiyaam (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was
prescribedforthosebeforeyou,thatyoumaybecomealmuttaqoon
(thepious).[SurahalBaqarah2:183]
AllaahencouragesHisslavestofast:
Andthatyoufast,isbetterforyou,ifonlyyouknow.[Surah
alBaqarah2:184]
HeguidesthemtogivethankstoHimforhavingmadefastingobligatory
onthem:

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thatyoushouldmagnifyAllaahforhavingguidedyousothat
youmaybegratefultoHim.[SurahalBaqarah2:185]
Hehasmadefastingdeartopeopleandhasmadeiteasyforthemsothat
theydonotfindittoodifficulttogiveuptheirhabitsandwhattheyare
accustomedto.Allaahsays:
forafixednumberofdays[SurahalBaqarah2:184]
Hehasmercyonthemandkeepsthemawayfromdifficultiesandharm,
asHesays:
but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number
(shouldbemadeup)fromotherdays[SurahalBaqarah2:184]
Itisnowonderthenthatinthismonth,theheartsofthebelieversturnto
theirMostMercifulLord,fearingHimabovethem,andhopetoattainHis
rewardandthegreatvictory[ofParadise].
As the status of this act of worship is so high, it is essential to learn the
ahkaam(rulings)pertainingtothismonthoffastingsothatMuslimswill
knowwhatisobligatoryinordertodoit,whatisharaam(forbidden)in
order to avoid it, and what is permissible so that they do not
unnecessarily subject themselves to any hardship by depriving
themselvesfromit.
This book is a summary of the rulings, etiquette and Sunnah of fasting.
MayAllaahmakeitofbenefittomeandmyMuslimbrothers.Praisebeto
Allaah,LordoftheWorlds.

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TheDefinitionofSiyaam(Fasting)
(1) Linguistically, siyaam in Arabic means abstinence. In Islamic
terminology, it means abstaining from things that break the fast, from
dawnuntilsunset,havingfirstmadetheintention(niyyah)todoso.

TheRulingconcerningFasting
(2) The Ummah (Islamic nation) is in agreement to the fact that fasting
the month of Ramadan is obligatory, the evidence for which is in the
Qur`aanandSunnah.Allaah()says:
Oyouwhobelieve!Observingalsawn(thefasting)isprescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
becomealmuttaqoon(thepious).[SurahalBaqarah2:183]
TheProphet()said:
Islamisbuiltonfive[pillars]1
amongwhichhementionedfastinginRamadan.2
WhoeverbreaksthefastduringRamadanwithoutalegitimateexcusehas
committed a serious major sin, The Prophet () said when describing a
dreamthathehadseen:
until I was at a mountain where I heard loud voices. I asked,
What are these voices? They said, This is the howling of the
people of Hellfire. Then I was taken [to another place], and I saw
people hanging from their hamstrings with the corners of their
mouthstornanddrippingwithblood.Isaid,Whoarethese?They

AlBukhaari.

ReportedbyalBukhaari,alFath,1/49.

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said,Thepeoplewhobroketheirfastbeforeitwasthepropertime
todoso(i.e.,beforethetimeofbreakingfast).3
AlHaafidhalDhahabi(mayAllaahhavemercyonhim)said,
Amongthebelieversitiswellestablishedthatwhoeverdoesnotfastin
Ramadanwithoutavalidexcuseisworsethananadultererordrunkard;
theydoubtwhetherheisevenaMuslimatall,andtheyregardhimasa
hereticandprofligate.
ShaykhalIslam[IbnTaymiyyah](mayAllaahhavemercyonhim)said:
If a person does not fast in Ramadan knowing that it is haraam but
makingithalaal(permissible)forhimselftodoso,hemustbeexecuted;
and if he does it because he is immoral [but believes it is haraam
(impermissible)],thenhemustbepunishedfornotfasting.4

TheVirtuesofFasting
(3)Thevirtuesoffastingaregreatindeed,andoneofthethingsreported
in authentic (saheeh) ahaadeeth is that Allaah has chosen fasting for
Himself,andHewillrewarditandmultiplytherewardwithoutmeasure,
asHesays[inaHadeethQudsi5]:
ExceptforfastingwhichisonlyforMysake,andIwillrewardhim
forit.6

SaheehalTargheeb,1/420.

MajmooalFataawaaa,25/265.

HadeethQudsi:ahadeethwhichtheProphet()narratesfromAllahexactlywhatHesaid.
ItdiffersfromtheQur`aninthatitisnotrecited,anditdiffersfromaregularhadeethinthat
thewordsthemselvesarerevealedandnotjustthemeanings.
5

AlBukhaari,alFath,no.1904;SaheehalTargheeb,1/407.

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Fastinghasnoequal7,andtheduaa(supplication)ofthefastingperson
willnotberefused.8
Thefastingpersonhastwomomentsofjoy:onewhenhebreakshisfast,
andonewhenhemeetshisLordandrejoicesoverhisfasting9.
FastingwillintercedeforapersonontheDayofJudgmentandwillsay,
OLord,Ipreventedhimfromhisfoodandphysicaldesiresduring
theday,soletmeintercedeforhim.10
Thesmellthatcomesfromthemouthofafastingpersonismorebeloved
toAllaahthanthescentofmusk.11
Fastingisaprotectionandastrongfortressthatkeepsapersonsafefrom
theFire.12
WhoeverfastsonedayforthesakeofAllaah,Allaahwilldistancehim
fromtheFireadistanceofseventyyearsfromtheFire.13
WhoeverfastsonedayseekingthepleasureofAllaah,ifthatisthelast
dayofhislife,hewillenterParadise.14
In Paradise there is a gate called alRayyaan through which those
who fast will enter, and no one will enter through it except them;
whentheyhaveentereditwillbelocked,andnooneelsewillenter
throughit.15
7

AlNasaa`i,4/165;SaheehatTargheeb,1/413.

ReportedbyalBayhaqi,3/345;alSilsilatalSaheehah,1797.

ReportedbyMuslim,2/807.

ReportedbyAhmad,2/174.AlHaythamiclasseditsisnaadashasaninalMajma,3/181.
SeealsoSaheehalTargheeb,1/411.

10

11

Muslim,2/807.

12

ReportedbyAhmad,2/402;SaheehalTargheeb,1/411;SaheehalJaami,3880.

13

ReportedbyMuslim,2/808.

14

ReportedbyAhmad,5/391;SaheehalTargheeb,1/412.

15

AlBukhaari,Fath,no.1797.

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Ramadan is a pillar of Islam, the Qur`aan was revealed in this month,

andinitthereisanightthatisbetterthanathousandmonths.
When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gatesofHellareclosed,andthedevilsareputinchains.16
FastingRamadanisequivalenttofastingtenmonths.17
WhoeverfastsRamadanoutoffaithandwiththehopeof(Allahs)
reward,allhisprevioussinswillbeforgiven.18
Withthebreakingofeveryfast,Allaahwillchoosepeopletofreefrom
Hellfire.19

TheBenefitsofFasting
(4)Thereismuchwisdomandnumerousbenefitsinfastingwhichrelate
tothetaqwaaAllahmentionedintheaayah(verse):
that you may become almuttaqoon (the pious). [Surah al
Baqarah2:183]
The interpretation of this aayah is that if a person refrains from halaal
things hoping to gain the pleasure of Allaah and out of fear of His
punishment,itwillbeeasierforhimtorefrainfromdoingharaamthings.
When a persons stomach is empty and he is hungry, many of his other
facultiesarekeptfromfeelinghungerordesires;butwhenhisstomachis
satisfied, his tongue, eyes, hands and private parts start to feel hunger.

16

ReportedbyalBukhaari,alFath,no.3277.

17

SeeMusnadAhmad,5/280;SaheehalTargheeb,1/421.

18

ReportedbyalBukhaari,Fath,no.37.

19

ReportedbyAhmad,5/256;SaheehalTargheeb,1/419.

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Fasting leads to the defeat of Shaytaan; it controls desires and protects

onesfaculties.
When the fasting person feels the pangs of hunger, he experiences how
the poor feel, thus he feels compassion towards them and gives them
somethingtowardofftheirhunger.Hearingaboutthemisnotthesame
assharingtheirsuffering,justasariderdoesnotunderstandthehardship
ofwalkinguntilhegetsdownandwalks.
Fasting trains the person to avoid desires and to keep away from sin; it
helps a person to overcome his own nature and to wean himself away
frombadhabits.Italsotrainsapersontogetusedtobeingorganizedand
punctual, which will solve the problem that many people have of being
disorganized,ifonlytheyrealized.
Fasting is also a demonstration of the unity of the Muslims, as the
Ummah(Islamicnation)fastsandbreaksitsfastallatthesametime.
Fastingalsoprovidesagreatopportunityforthosewhoarecallingothers
to Allaah. In this month many people come to the mosque for the first
time,andalsothosewhohavenotbeentothemosqueforalongtime,and
their hearts are open, so we must make the most of this opportunity by
preachinginagentlemanner,teachingappropriatelessonsandspeaking
beneficial words, whilst also cooperating in righteousness and good
deeds.Theteachershouldnotbesopreoccupiedwithothersthoughthat
heforgetshisownsoulandbecomeslikeacandlethatlightsthewayfor
otherswhileitisitselfconsumed.

TheEtiquettesandSunanofFasting
Someaspectsoffastingareobligatory(fard)andothersarerecommended
(mustahab).

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Weshouldmakesurethatweeatanddrinksomethingatsuhoor(thetime
beforedawn),andthatwedelayituntiljustbeforetheadhaanofFajr.The
Prophet()said:
Havesuhoor,forinsuhoorthereisblessing(barakah).20
Suhoor is blessed food, and it involves being different from the
peopleoftheBook.Whatagoodsuhoorforthebelieverisdates.21
One should not delay iftaar (breakfast after dusk), because the Prophet
()said:
The people remain upon goodness so long as they do not delay
iftaar.22
A person should break his fast in the manner described in the hadeeth
narratedbyAnas():
The Prophet () used to break his fast with fresh dates before
praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried)
dates;ifdrieddateswerenotavailable,hewouldhaveafewsipsof
water.23
After iftaar, it is Sunnah to recite the words reported in the hadeeth
narratedbyIbnUmar(mayAllaahbepleasedwiththemboth),according
towhichtheProphet(),whenhebrokehisfast,wouldsay:
Dhahabaadhdhama,wabtallatilurooq,wathabatalajruinshaa
Allaah (The thirst has gone, the veins are flowing again, and the
rewardisconfirmed,inshaaAllaah).24

20

ReportedbyalBukhaari,Fath,4/139.

21

ReportedbyAbuDawood,no.2345;SaheehalTargheeb,1/448.

22

ReportedbyalBukhaari,Fath,4/198.

ReportedbyalTirmidhi,3/79andothers.Hesaiditisaghareebhasanhadeeth.Classedas
saheehinalIrwaa,no.922.

23

24

ReportedbyAbuDawood,2/765;itsisnaadwasclassedashasanbyalDaaraqutni,2/185.

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Keepingawayfromsin,becausetheProphet()said:
Whenanyofyouisfasting,lethimnotcommitanysin25
TheProphet()said:
Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting in
accordance with it, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food
anddrink.(AlBukhaari,alFath,no.1903)
The fasting person should avoid all kinds of haraam actions, such as
backbiting,obscenityandlying,otherwisehisrewardmayallbelost.The
Prophet()said:
It may be that a fasting person gets nothing from his fast except
hunger.26
Amongthethingsthatcandestroyoneshasanaat(gooddeeds)andcause
sayi`aat(baddeeds)toberecordedisallowingoneselftobedistractedby
quizshows, soap operas, movies and sports matches, idle gatherings,
hanging about in the streets with evil people and timewasters, driving
around for no purpose, and crowding the streets and sidewalks. The
monthoftahajjud,dhikrandworshipformanypeoplebecomesamonth
inwhichtheysleepduringthedaysoastoavoidfeelinghungerand
spend their nights in entertainment and indulging in their desires. This
further causes them to miss their prayers and the opportunity to pray
themincongregation.Somepeopleevengreetthismonthwithfeelingsof
annoyance, thinking only of the pleasures they will miss out on. In
Ramadan, some people even travel to the lands of the disbelievers to
enjoyaholiday!Eventhemosquesarenotfreefromsuchevils,aswomen
also attend wearing makeup and perfume. Even the Sacred House of
Allaah (Kabah) is not free of these ills. Some people make this month a
season for begging, even though they are not in need. Some entertain
themselves with dangerous fireworks and the like, and some of them
25

ReportedbyalBukhaari,alFath,no.1904.

26

ReportedbyIbnMaajah,1/539;SaheehalTargheeb,1/453.

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waste their time in the markets, wanderingaround the shops, orhaving

newclothesstitchedandfollowingfashions.Someshopownersintroduce
newproductsandnewstylesintheirstoresduringthelasttendaysofthe
month,thuskeepingpeopleawayfromearningrewardsandhasanaat.
A person should not allow himself to be provoked, because the Prophet
()said:
Ifsomeonefightshimorinsultshim,heshouldsay,Iamfasting,I
amfasting.27
Onereasonforthisistoremindhimself,andtheotherreasonistoremind
the one who is provoking him. But anyone who looks at the conduct of
manyofthosewhofastwillseesomethingquitedifferent.Itisessentialto
exerciseselfcontrolandbecalm,butweseetheoppositeamongthecrazy
driverswhospeedupwhentheyheartheadhaanforMaghrib.
Apersonshouldnotovereat,becausetheProphet()said:
ThesonofAdamfillsnovesselworsethanhisstomach.28
Thewisepersonlivesnottoeat,butrather,eatstolive.Thebesttypeof
foodisthatwhichistheretobeused,notthatwhichistheretobeserved.
People indulge in making all kinds of food (during Ramadan) and
treatingfoodpreparationasavirtualartform,andthushousewivesand
servantsspendalltheirtimeonmakingfood.Thiskeepsthemawayfrom
worship,andpeoplespendfarmoreonfoodduringRamadanthanthey
ordinarilydo.Thusthemonthbecomesthemonthofindigestion,obesity
andgastricillnessinwhichpeopleeatlikegluttonsanddrinklikethirsty
camels. When they stand to pray Taraaweeh (the night prayer in
Ramadan) they do so reluctantly, and some of them leave after the first
tworakahs.

27

ReportedbyalBukhaariandothers.AlFath,no.1894.

28

ReportedbyalTirmidhi,no.2380;hesaid,thisisahasansaheehhadeeth.

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Apersonshouldincreaseinhisgenerositybysharingknowledge,giving
charity, using ones position of authority or physical strength to help
others,andhavingagoodattitude.AlBukhaariandMuslimreportedthat
IbnAbbaas()said:
TheMessengerofAllaah()wasthemostgenerousofpeople[in
doing good], and he was most generous of all in Ramadan when
Jibreelmetwithhim;heusedtomeethimeverynightinRamadan
andteachhimtheQur`aan.TheMessengerofAllaah()wasmore
generousindoinggoodthanablowingwind.29
How can people prefer stinginess to generosity and laziness to action to
theextentthattheydonotdotheirworknortreatoneanotherproperly,
andtheyusefastingasanexcuseforallthis?!
Combiningfastingwithfeedingthepoorisoneofthemeansofattaining
Paradise,astheProphet()said:
In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the
inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allaah has
preparedthemforthosewhofeedthepoor,thosewhoaregentlein
speech,thosewhofastregularly,andthosewhoprayatnightwhen
peopleareasleep.30
TheProphet()said:
Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his
fast, he will have the reward equal to his (the fasting person),
withoutitdetractingintheslightestfromtherewardofthefasting
person.31

29

ReportedbyalBukhaari,alFath,no.6.

ReportedbyAhmad5/343;IbnKhuzaymah,no.2137.AlAlbaanisaidinhisfootnote,its
isnaadishasanbecauseofothercorroboratingreports.
30

31

ReportedbyalTirmidhi,3/171;SaheehalTargheeb,1/451.

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Shaykh alIslam [Ibn Taymiyah] (may Allaah have mercy on him) said,
Whatismeantisthatheshouldfeedhimuntilheissatisfied.32
A number of the Salaf33 (mayAllaah have mercy onthem) preferred the
poor over themselves when breaking their fast at the time of iftaar.
Among these were AbdAllaah ibn Umar, Maalik ibn Deenaar, Ahmad
ibn Hanbal and others. AbdAllaah ibn Umar would not break his fast
unlesstherewereorphansandpoorpeoplewithhim.

WhatshouldbedoneinthisGreatMonth
Prepare yourselves and your environment for worship [by doing the
following]:
HastentorepentandturnbacktoAllaah.
Rejoiceattheonsetofthismonth.
Fastproperly.
Have the correct frame of mind and fear Allaah when praying
Taraaweeh.
Donotbecometiredduringthemiddle34tendaysofthemonth.
SeekLaylatalQadr.
ReadtheentireQur`aanrepetitively,trytoweep,andtrytounderstand
whatyouarereading.

32

AlIkhtiyaaraatalFiqhiyyah,p.109.

33

Salaf:Ourpiouspredecessors,particularlythoseofthefirstthreegenerations.(Editor)

Usuallypeoplestartoffthemonthwithgreatenthusiasm,andalsospendthelasttendays
inworshipduetoitsgreatmerits.Asaresult,peoplemayfeelapatheticduringthemiddle
ofthemonth.(Editor)

34

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Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj [performed with the

Prophet()].
Charitygivenduringthisvirtuoustimeismultiplied.
Itikaaf(retreatinthemosqueforworship)isaconfirmedSunnahofthe
Prophet().
There is nothing wrong with congratulating one another at the
beginningofthemonth.TheProphet()usedtotellhisCompanionsthe
goodnewsoftheonsetofRamadanandurgethemtomakethemostofit.
AbuHurayrah()said:
The Messenger of Allaah () said, There has come to you
Ramadan,ablessedmonth.Allaahhasmadeitobligatoryonyouto
fast(thismonth).Duringit,thegatesofParadiseareopenedandthe
gatesofHellarelocked,andthedevilsarechainedup.Initthereis
a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is
deprivedofitsgoodnesshasindeedbeendeprived.35

SomeRulingsconcerningFasting
(6) One kindof fasting is that which must be done on consecutive days,
such as the fast of Ramadan, fasting in expiation for killing someone by
mistake, divorcing ones wife by dhihaar36, or having intercourse during
thedayinRamadan.Also,onewhomakesavowtofastconsecutivedays
mustfulfillit.
Another kind of fasting is that which does not have to be done on
consecutivedays,suchasmakingupdaysmissedinRamadan,fastingten
35

ReportedbyalNasaa`i,4/129;SaheehalTargheeb,1/490.

Ajaahiliformofdivorceinwhichamansaystohiswife,Youaretomeasthebackofmy
motherTranslator.

36

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days if one does not have a sacrifice [in Hajj], fasting for breaking an
swornoath(accordingtothemajority),fastingtocompensateforviolating
the conditions of ihraam (according to the most correct opinion), and
fasting in fulfillment of a vow in cases where one did not have the
intentionoffastingconsecutivedays.
(7) Voluntary fasts make up for shortcomings in the obligatory fasts.
ExamplesofvoluntaryfastsincludeAashooraa,theDayofArafah(for
those not performing Hajj), Ayyaam alBeed37, Mondays and Thursdays,
sixdaysofShawwaal,andthespecificsfastsofMuharramandShabaan.
(8) It is not permitted to single out Friday for fasting38 or to fast on a
Saturdayunlessitisanobligatoryfast39.Whatisintendedhereissingling
itoutwithouttherebeingavalidreason.Itisnotpermittedtofastforan
entirelifetime,ortofastfortwodaysormorewithoutabreak(i.e.,tofast
two or three days [straight] without breaking ones fast each day after
Maghrib).
ItisharaamtofastonthetwoEiddaysorontheAyyaamalTashreeq
the 11th, 12th and 13th of DhulHijjah, for these are days of eating,
drinking and remembering Allaah. It is permissible though for pilgrims
performing Hajj to fast them (Ayyaam alTashreeq) in Minaa if they do
nothaveasacrificetooffer.

HowistheOnsetofRamadanDetermined?
(9)TheonsetofRamadanisconfirmedbythesightingofthenewmoonor
bythecompletionofthirtydaysofShabaan.Whoeverseesthecrescentof
the new moon or hears about it from a trustworthy source is obliged to
fast.

37

The13th,14thand15thdaysofeachHijrimonthTranslator.

38

AlBukhaari,FathalBaari,no.1985.

39

ReportedandclassedashasanbyalTirmidhi,3/111.

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Using calculations to determine the onset of Ramadan is a bidah

(innovation),becausethehadeethoftheProphet()clearlystates:
Fastwhenyouseeit(thenewmoon)andbreakyourfastwhenyou
seeit.40
If an adult, sane, trustworthy, reliable Muslim who has good eyesight
saysthathehasseenthecrescentwithhisowneyes,thenweshouldtake
hiswordforitandactaccordingly(i.e.,startfasting).

WhoisObligatedtoFast?
(10) Fasting is an obligation on every adult, sane, resident [i.e., not
traveling]Muslimwhoisabletofastandhasnothingtopreventhimor
herfromdoingso,suchasmenstruationorpostpartumbleeding.
A person is deemed to have reached adulthood when any one of the
followingthreethingsoccur:
1)emissionofsemen,whetherinawetdreamorotherwise;
2)growthofcoarsepubichairaroundtheprivateparts;
3)attainmentoffifteenyearsofage.
Inthecaseoffemales,thereisafourth,namelymenstruation.Whenagirl
reachesmenarche(startsherperiods),sheisobligedtofastevenifshehas
notyetreachedtheageoften.
(11) Children should be instructed to fast at the age of seven if they are
ableto,andsomescholarssaidthatasinthecaseofSalaah,achildmaybe
physicallydisciplinedattheageoftenifhedoesnotfast.41Childrenwill
berewardedforfasting,andtheirparentswillberewardedforbringing
40

Muslim.(Editor)

41

SeealMughni,3/90.

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them up properly and guiding them to do righteous deeds. AlRubayyi

bint Muawwidh () said, speaking about Ramadan when it was made
obligatory:
Weusedtomakeourchildrenfast,andwewouldmakethematoy
made out of wool. If any one of them started to cry for food, we
wouldgivethemthattoytoplaywithuntilitwastimetobreakthe
fast.42
Somepeopledonotthinkthatitisimportanttoinstructtheirchildrento
fast.Indeedachildmaybeenthusiasticaboutfastingandmaybecapable
of doing it, but his father or mother may tell him not to fast out of so
calledpityforhim.Theydonotrealizethattruepityandcompassion
consistofhelpinghimtobecomeaccustomedtofasting.Allaahsays:
Oyouwhobelieve!Wardofffromyourselvesandyourfamiliesa
Fire(Hell)whosefuelismenandstones,overwhichare(appointed)
angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the
Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are
commanded.[SurahalTahreem66:6]
Extra attention must be given to the matter of girls when they have just
reachedtheageofmaturity,fortheymayfastduringtheirmensesoutof
shynesswithoutmakinguptheirfastslater.
(12)Ifakaafir(nonMuslim)becomesMuslim,ifachildreachespuberty,
or if an insane person comes to his senses during the day, they should
refrain from eating until dusk, for they are now among those who are
obligatedtofast.Theydonot,however,havetomakeupforthedaysof
Ramadan that they have missed, for at that specific time they were not
amongthoseuponwhomfastingwasobligatory.
(13)Theinsanearenotheldresponsiblefortheiractions(theirdeedsare
not recorded), but if a person is insane at times and sane at others, he

42

AlBukhaari,Fath,no.1960.

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mustfastduringhisperiodsofsanityandisexcusedduringhisperiodsof
insanity.Ifhebecomesinsaneduringtheday,thisdoesnotinvalidatehis
fast,justasisthecaseifsomeonebecomesunconsciousbecauseofillness
or some other reason, for he had the intention of fasting when he was
sane.43Asimilarcaseistherulinggoverningepileptics.
(14) If someone dies during Ramadan, there is no debt on him or his
heirswithregardtotheremainingdaysofthemonth.
(15)IfsomeonedoesnotknowthatitisobligatorytofastRamadanorthat
it is haraam to eat or have sexual intercourse during the day in this
month, then according to the majority of scholars, this excuse is
acceptable. This may be the case for a new convert to Islam, a Muslim
living in Daar alHarb (nonMuslim lands) and a Muslim who grew up
among the kuffaar. As for those who were raisedamongst Muslims and
wereabletoaskquestionsandfindout,theyhavenoexcuse.

Travelers
(16)Foratravelertobeallowedtobreakhisfast,certainconditionsmust
be met. His journey should be lengthy, or else be known as traveling
(althoughthereisawellknowndifferenceofopinionamongthescholars
on this matter), and he should have left the city and its suburbs. The
majorityofscholarssaythatthetravelershouldnotbreakhisfastbefore
hepassesthecitylimits.Theysaythatajourneyhasnotreallybegununtil
a person passes the city limits, and a person who is still in the city is
settledandpresent.Allaahsays:
Sowhoeverofyousights(thecrescentonthefirstnightof)the
month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home), he must observe
sawm(fasts)thatmonth[SurahalBaqarah2:185]
43

MajaalisShahrRamadaanbyIbnUthaymeen,p.28.

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Heisnotconsideredatraveleruntilhehasleftthecity.Ifheisstillwithin
the city, he is regarded as a resident and is not permitted to shorten his
prayers.Hisjourneyshouldalsonothavebeenoneundertakenforsome
sinfulpurposes(accordingtothemajorityofscholars),orforthepurpose
ofevadingthefast.
(17)Atravelerisallowedtobreakhisfastaccordingtotheconsensusof
theUmmah,andnoregardsistakenastohislevelofabilityordifficulty
indoingso.Evenifhisjourneyiseasyandhehassomeonetoservehim,
heisstillpermittedtobreakhisfastandshortenhisprayers.44
(18) Whoever is determined to travel in Ramadan should not have the
intention of breaking his fast until he is actually traveling, because
somethingmayhappentopreventhimfromsettingoutonhisjourney.45
A traveler should not break his fast until he has passed beyond the
inhabitedhousesofhistown;oncehehaspassedthecitylimits,hemay
break his fast. Similarly if he is flying, once the plane has taken off and
has gone beyond the city limits, he may break his fast. If the airport is
outsidehiscity,hecanbreakhisfastthere,butiftheairportiswithinhis
cityorattachedtoit,heshouldnotbreakhisfastintheairportbecausehe
isstillwithintheboundsofhisowncity.
(19) If the sun sets and he breaks his fast on the ground, and then the
plane takes off and he sees the sun, he does not have to stop eating. He
hasalreadycompletedhisdaysfasting,andthereisnowaytorepeatan
actofworshiponceithasalreadybeencompleted.Iftheplanetakesoff
beforesunsetandhewantstocompletethatdaysfastduringthejourney,
heshouldnotbreakhisfastuntilthesunhassetfromwhereverheisin
theair.Thepilotisnotpermittedtobringtheplanedowntoanaltitude
fromwhichthesuncannotbeseenjustforthepurposesofbreakingthe
fast,forthiswouldjustbeakindoftrickery.Ifthepilotweretobringthe

44
45

MajmooalFataawaaa,25/210.
TafseeralQurtubi,2/278.

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plane down lower for a genuine reason though, and the disk of the sun
disappearsasaresult,hemaybreakhisfast.46
(20) Whoever travels to a destination and intends to stay there for more
thanfourdaysmustfastaccordingtothemajorityofscholars.Thus,ifa
persontravelstostudyabroadforseveralmonthsoryears,thenaccording
tothemajorityofscholarsincludingthefourimaamsheisregardedas
one who is settled there and so he has to fast and pray his prayers in
full.
Ifatravelerpassesthroughacityotherthanhisown,hedoesnothaveto
fastunlesshisstaythereislongerthanfourdays.Ifitisso,hemustfast,
becausetherulingsthatapplytothosewhoaresettledapplyalsotohim.47
(21) Whoever begins fasting while he is settled, then embarks on a
journey during the day is allowed to break his fast, because Allaah has
madetravelingeneralalegitimateexcusenottofast.Allaahsays:
andwhoeverisilloronajourney,thesamenumber[ofdayson
which one did not observe sawm must be made up] from other
days[SurahalBaqarah2:185]
(22) A person who habitually travels is permitted not to fast if he has a
home to which he returns, such as a courier who travels to serve the
interests of the Muslims (and also taxi drivers, pilots and airline
employees,eveniftheirtravelisdaily),buttheyhavetomakeupthefasts
later. The same applies to sailors who have a home on land. But if the
sailorhashiswifeandallheneedswithhimontheshipandisconstantly
traveling,thenheisnotallowedtobreakhisfastorshortenhisprayers.If
nomadicbedouinsaretravelingfromtheirwinterhometotheirsummer
homeorviceversa,theyareallowedtobreaktheirfastandshortentheir
prayers. Once they have settled in either their summer home or their

46

FromtheFataawaaaofShaykhIbnBaaz,issuedverbally.

47

SeeFataawaaalDawahbyIbnBaaz,977.

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winter home though, they should not break their fast or shorten their
prayers,eveniftheyarefollowingtheirflocks.48
(23)Ifatravelerarrivesduringtheday,thereisawellknowndifference
amongthescholarsastowhetherheshouldstopeatinganddrinking.49To
be on the safe side though, he should stop eating and drinking out of
respectforthemonth,buthemustmakethedayuplaterwhetherornot
hestopseatinganddrinkingafterhisarrival.
(24) If he starts Ramadan in one city and then travels to another city
wherethepeoplestartedfastingbeforehimorafterhim,heshouldfollow
therulinggoverningthepeopletowhomhehastraveled.Heshouldonly
endRamadanwhentheyendRamadan,evenifitmeansthatheisfasting
formorethanthirtydays,becausetheProphet()said:
Fastwheneveryoneisfasting,andbreakyourfastwheneveryone
isbreakingtheirfast.50
Ifthismeansthathisfastislessthantwentyninedays,hemustmakeit
up after Eid, because the hijri month cannot be less than twentynine
days.51

TheSick
(25)Intheeventofanysicknessthatmakespeoplefeelunwell,apersonis
allowednottofast.Thebasisforthisistheaayah:

48

SeeMajmooFataawaaIbnTaymiyah,25/213.

49

MajmooalFataawaa,25/212.

50

Muslim.(Editor)

FromFataawaaalShaykhAbdalAzeezibnBaaz:FataawaaalSiyaam,DaaralWatan,
pp.1516.

51

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andwhoeverisilloronajourney,thesamenumber[ofdayson
which one did not observe sawm must be made up] from other
days[SurahalBaqarah2:185]
Butiftheailmentisminor,suchasacoughorheadache,thenitisnota
validreasontobreakonesfast.
Ifthereismedicalproof,ifapersonknowsfromhisusualexperience,or
he is certain that fasting will make his illness worse or will delay his
recovery,heispermittedtobreakhisfast.Rather,itisdisliked(makrooh)
forhimtofastinsuchcases.Ifapersonisseriouslyill,heisnotobligated
to have the intention during the night to fast the following day, even if
there is a possibility that he may be well in the morning, because what
countsisthepresentmoment.52
(26) If fasting will cause unconsciousness, he should break his fast and
make up for it later.53 If a person falls unconscious during the day and
recoversbeforeMaghriborafterit,hisfastisstillvalidaslongashewas
fastinginthemorning.IfheisunconsciousfromFajruntilMaghrib,then
accordingtothemajorityofscholarshisfastisnotvalid.Accordingtothe
majorityofscholars,itisobligatoryforapersonwhofallsunconscious54
to make up his fasts lateron, no matter how long he wasunconscious.55
Somescholarshaveissuedfataawaa(verdicts)totheeffectthataperson
whofallsunconscious,takessleepingpills,orreceivesageneralanesthetic
foragenuinereasonandbecomesunconsciousforthreedaysorlessmust
Ifapersondoesnotmaketheintentiontofastthefollowingdayduetoillness,butthen
awakensafterthebreakofdawnandseesthathehasrecovered,hemustrefrainfromeating
and drinking until dusk, but he must make up for that fast later, for he did not have the
intentiontofastbeforethedaystarted.(EditortakenfromanoralverdictgivenbySheikh
AbdulQadiralAroosi)
52

53

AlFataawaa,25/217.

Itseemsasiftheauthorintendsheretomeanthosewhohavefallenunconsciuosbefore
dawnuntilafterdusk,nomatterhowmanydaysoryearsthatmaybe.(Editor)

54

AlMughni maa alSharh alKabeer, 1/412, 3/32; alMawsooah alFiqhiyyah al

Kuwaitiyyah,5/268.

55

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makeupthefastslateron,forheisregardedasbeinglikeonewhosleeps.
Ifheisunconsciousformorethanthreedays,hedoesnothavetomake
upthefastsbecauseheisregardedasbeinglikeonewhoisinsane.56
(27)Ifapersonfeelsextremehungerorthirst,andfearsthathemaydieor
that some of his faculties may be irreparably damaged, and he has
credible grounds for believing this to be so, he may break his fast and
make up for it later on, as saving ones life is obligatory. It is not
permissible though, to break ones fast because of bearable hardship or
becauseonefeelstiredorisafraidofsomeimaginedillness.Peoplewho
workinphysicallydemandingjobsarenotpermittedtobreaktheirfast,
andtheymusthavetheintentionatnightoffastingthefollowingday.If
theycannotstopworkingandtheyareafraidthatsomeharmmaybefall
them during the day, or they face some extreme hardship that causes
themtobreaktheirfast,thentheyshouldeatonlywhatisenoughtohelp
thembearthehardship,thentheyshouldrefrainfromeatinguntilsunset,
but they must make the fast up later. Workers in physically demanding
jobs, such as working with furnaces and smelting metals, should try to
changetheirhourssothattheyworkatnightortaketheirholidaysduring
Ramadan.Theyshoulddosoeveniftheirleavewereunpaid,butifthisis
not possible, they should look for another job where they can combine
theirreligiousandworldlyduties.
And whoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will
makeawayforhimtogetout(fromeverydifficulty).AndHewill
provide him from (sources) he could never imagine. [Surah al
Talaaq65:23]57
Students exams are no excuse for breaking ones fast during Ramadan,
anditisnotpermissibletoobeyonesparentsinbreakingthefastbecause

56

FromtheFataawaaofShaykhAbdalAzeezibnBaaz,issuedverbally.

57

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/233,235.

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ofhavingexams.Thereisnoobediencetoanycreatedbeingifitinvolves
disobediencetotheCreator.58
(28)Asickpersonwhohopestorecovershouldwaituntilhegetsbetter,
and then make up for the fasts he has missed. He is not allowed just to
feedthepoor.Thepersonwhoissufferingfromachronicillnessandhas
nohopeofrecoveryandelderlypeoplewhoareunabletofastshouldfeed
apoorpersonwithhalfasaaofthestaplefoodofhiscountryforevery
daythathehasmissed.(Halfasaaisroughlyequivalenttooneandahalf
kilograms of rice). It is permissible for him to do this all at once on one
dayattheendofthemonth,orhemayfeedonepoorpersoneveryday.
Hemustdothisbygivingactualfoodduetothewordingoftheaayah
he cannot do it by giving money to the poor.59 He may however, give
moneytoatrustworthypersonorcharitableorganizationtobuyfoodand
distributeittothepooronhisbehalf.
If a sick person does not fast in Ramadan while waiting to recover in
order that he can make the days up later, and then finds out that his
sicknessischronic,hemustfeedapoorpersonforeverydaythathedid
not fast.60 If a person is waiting to recover from his illness and hopes to
getbetterbutthendies,thereisnodebtowedbyhimorhisheirs.Ifa
persons sickness is considered to be chronic and he does not fast but
feedsthepoorinstead,thenmedicaladvancesresultinthediscoveryofa
remedywhichheisadministeredandthenrecovers,hedoesnothaveto
makeupthefastshehasmissed,becausehedidwhathehadtodoatthat
time.61
(29)Ifasickpersonrecoversandisabletomakeupthemissedfastsbut
doesnotdo sobeforehedies,moneyshouldbetakenfromhisestateto
feed a poor person for every day that he missed. If any of his relatives
58

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/241.

59

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/198.

60

FromtheFataawaaofShaykhIbnUthaymeen.

61

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/195.

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wanttofastonhisbehalf,thenthisisfine,foritwasreportedinBukhari
andMuslimthattheMessengerofAllaah()said:
Whoeverdiesowingsomefasts,lethisheirfastonhisbehalf.62

TheElderly
(30)Theveryelderlywhohavelosttheirstrengthandaregettingweaker
everydayasdeathapproachesdonothavetofast,andtheyareallowed
not to fast so long as fasting is difficult for them. Ibn Abbaas () said
concerningtheaayah:
And as for those who can fast with difficulty (e.g., an old man,
etc.),theyhave(achoiceeithertofastor)tofeedapoorperson(for
everyday).[SurahalBaqarah2:184]
This has not been abrogated. It refers to the old man and the old
woman who cannot fast, so they should feed a poor person for every
day.63
Those who have become senile and confused do not have to fast or do
anything else, and their family does not have to do anything on their
behalfeither.Suchpeoplearenolongercountedasresponsible.Iftheyare
ofsoundmindsometimesandconfusedatothertimes,theyhavetofast
when they are sound and they do not have to fast when they are
confused.64
(31) As for those who are fighting an enemy or are being besieged by
them,theyareallowedtobreaktheirfastifitmightmakethemtooweak
to fight, even if they are not traveling. If they need to break their fast

62

FromFataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,volumeonDawah,806.

63

AlBukhaari,KitaabalTafseer,BaabAyyaamanMadoodaat.

64

SeeMajaalisShahrRamadaanbyIbnUthyameen,p.28.

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before fighting, they may do so. The Prophet () once said to his
Companionsbeforefighting:
Inthemorningyouaregoingtomeetyourenemyandnotfasting
willmakeyoustronger,sodonotfast.65
This is also the preferredopinion ofShaykhalIslam Ibn Taymiyah. The
scholarsofDamascusalsoissuedfatwastothesameeffectwhentheircity
wasattackedbytheTatars.
(32)Ifapersonsreasonfornotfastingisobvious,suchasillness,thereis
nothing wrong with him eating or drinking openly. But if the reason is
hidden,suchasmenstruation,itisbettertoeatanddrinkinsecretsoas
nottoattractaccusationsandthelike.

Niyyah(Intention)inFasting
(33) Niyyah (intention) is a required condition of the obligatory fast [of
Ramadan] as well as other obligatory fasts, such as making up missed
fastsorfastsdoneasanactofkaffaarah(expiation),becausetheProphet
()said:
Thereisnofastforthepersonwhodidnotintendtofastfromthe
nightbefore.66
Theintentionmaybemadeatanypointduringthenight,evenifitisjust
a moment before Fajr. Niyyah means the resolution in the heart to do
something; speaking it aloud is bidah (a reprehensible innovation), and
anyone who knows that tomorrow is one of the days of Ramadan and
wants to fast has [due to that knowledge, already] made the intention.
(MajmooFataawaaShaykhalIslam,25/215)Ifapersonintendstobreak
65

ReportedbyMuslim,1120,AbdalBaaqiedition.

Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 2454. A number of the scholars, such as alBukhaari, al
Nasaa`i, alTirmidhi and others thought it was likely to be mawqoof. See Talkhees al
Habeer,2/188.

66

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his fast during the day but does not do so, then according to the most
correctopinion,hisfastisnotadverselyaffected;heislikeapersonwho
wantstospeakduringtheprayerbutdoesnotspeak.Someofthescholars
think that he is not fasting as soon as he stops intending to fast, so as a
precaution, he should make up that fast later. Apostasy, however,
invalidatestheintention;thereisnodisputeonthismatter.
ThepersonwhoisfastingRamadandoesnotneedtorepeattheintention
every night during Ramadan; it is sufficient to have the intention at the
beginningofthemonth.Iftheintentionisinterruptedbybreakingthefast
duetotravelorsickness,forexample,hehastorenewtheintentiontofast
whenthereasonforbreakingthefastisnolongerpresent.
(34) Making the intention the night before is not a condition of general
nafil(supererogatoryorvoluntary)fasts,becauseofthehadeethnarrated
byAa`ishah(),whosaid:
The Messenger of Allaah () entered upon me one day and said,
Doyouhaveanything(food)?Isaid,No.Hesaid,InthatcaseI
amfasting.67
But in the case of specific supererogatory fasts such as Arafah and
Aashooraa,itisbettertobeonthesafesideandmaketheintentionthe
nightbefore.
(35) If a person embarks on an obligatory fast, such as making up for a
daymissedinRamadan,fulfillingavow,orfastingasanactofkaffaarah
(expiation), he must complete the fast and is not permitted to break it
unlesshehasavalidexcusefordoingso.Inthecaseofanafilfast:
The person who is observing a voluntary fast is his own ameer
(leader),ifhewisheshemay[continuehis]fast,andifhewisheshe
maybreakit.68

67

ReportedbyMuslim,2/809,AbdalBaaqi.

68

ReportedbyAhmad,6/342.

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even if there is no reason to break it. The Prophet () awoke one

morningandfasted,andthenheate.69Butwillthepersonwhobreakshis
fast for no reason be rewarded for the fasting that he has already done?
Someofthescholarssaythathewillnotberewarded70,soitisbetterfor
thepersonwhoisobservingavoluntaryfasttocompleteitunlessthereis
avalid,pressingreasonforhimtostopfasting.
(36)IfapersondoesnotknowthatRamadanhasstarteduntilafterdawn,
he must stop eating and drinking for the rest of the day and make that
dayuplateronaccordingtothemajorityofscholars,becausetheProphet
()said:
Thereisnofastingfortheonewhodoesnothavetheintentionto
fastfromthenightbefore.71
(37) Ifa prisoner or captive knows that Ramadan has begun bysighting
themoonhimselforbybeingtoldbyatrustworthyperson,hemustfast.
Ifhedoesnotknowwhenthemonthisbeginning,hemusttrytodeduce
ithimself(ijtihaad)andactaccordingtowhathethinksismostlikely.Ifat
alaterpointhefindsoutthathisfastingcoincidedwithRamadan,thisis
fine according to the majority of scholars, and if his fasting came after
Ramadan, this is fine according to the majority of fuqahaa. But if his
fastingcamebeforeRamadan,thisisnotacceptableandhemustmakeup
thefast.IfpartofhisfastingcoincidedwithRamadanandpartofitdid
not,whatcoincidedwithitorcameafteritisfine,butwhatcamebeforeis
not.Ifthematterneverbecomescleartohim,thenhisfastingisacceptable
becausehedidthebesthecould,andAllaahburdensnotapersonbeyond
hisability.72

AsreportedinSaheehMuslim,inthestoryofthealhais(atypeoffood)thatwasgivento
himasagiftwhenhewasinAa`ishahshouse;no.1154,AbdalBaaqi.

69

70

AlMawsooahalFiqhiyyah,28/13.

71

ReportedbyAbuDawood,2454.

72

AlMawsooahalFiqhiyyah,28/84.

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WhentoStartandStopFasting
(38)Oncetheentirediskofthesunhasdisappeared[belowthehorizon],
thefastingpersonshouldbreakhisfastandnotpayanyattentiontothe
redglowthatremainsonthehorizon.TheProphet()said:
Once night comes from there and the day disappears from there,
andthesunhasset,thefastingpersonshouldbreakhisfast.73
TheSunnahistohasteninbreakingthefast.TheProphet()wouldnot
prayMaghribuntilhehadbrokenhisfast,ifonlywithasipofwater.74Ifa
fasting person cannot find anything with which to break his fast, he
should have the intention in his heart to break his fast and should not
suck his finger [or the like], as some of the common folk do. He should
bewareofbreakingthefastbeforethecorrecttime.OncetheProphet()
sawsomepeoplehangingfromtheirhamstringswithbloodpouringfrom
thecornersoftheirmouths.Whenheaskedaboutthem,hewastoldthat
they were people who broke their fast before it was time to do so.75 If a
personiscertain,thinksitmostlikely,orisinequaldoubtwhetherornot
hebrokethefastbeforethepropertime,heshouldmakeupthefastlater
on, for the basic principle is that the day has not ended.76 He should
bewareofrelyingonthewordofsmallchildrenoruntrustworthysources,
andheshouldalsobewareofthetimedifferencesbetweendifferentcities
andvillageswhenhehearstheadhaanontheradioandsoon.
(39) When dawn appears, which is the white light which spreads across
thehorizonintheEast[wellbeforetheactualsunrise],thefastingperson
muststopeatinganddrinkingstraightawaywhetherhehearstheadhaan
73 Reported by alBukhaari, alFath, no. 1954; the issue is also mentioned in Majmoo al
Fataawaa,25/216.
74

ReportedbyalHaakim,1/432;alSilsilatalSaheehah,2110.

75

ThehadeethisinSaheehIbnKhuzaymah,no.1986,andinSaheehalTargheeb,1/420.

76

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/287.

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ornot.Ifheknowsthatthemu`edhincallstheadhaanatdawn,hehasto
stop eating and drinking as soon as he hears his adhaan, but if the
mu`edhincallstheadhaanbeforeFajr,hedoesnothavetostopeatingand
drinking when he hears it. If he does not know the mu`edhins usual
practice,ortherearedifferencesamongthemu`edhinsandheisunableto
determine the time of dawn for himself as is usually the case in cities
duetolightingandbuildingsheshouldtaketheprecautionofreferring
toaprintedtimetable,solongasheissurethatthecalculationsonwhich
itisbasedarenotincorrect.77
The idea of taking precautionary measures by stopping eating and
drinkingacertaintimebeforeFajr,suchastenminutesbefore,isbidah.
On some timetables you can see one heading for imsaak (stopping
eating and drinking) and another for Fajr. This is something that is
contrarytoIslam.
(40) The Muslims living in cities where there is a distinct alternation of
night and day in every twentyfour hour period are obliged to fast, no
matterhowlongthedayis,solongasthereisadistinctionbetweennight
and day. In those places where there is no such distinction, Muslims
should fast according to the times in the nearest city in which there is a
distinctalternationofnightandday.

ThingsthatBreaktheFast
(41)Apartfrommenstruationandpostnatalbleeding,otherthingswhich
break the fast are only considered to do so if the following three
conditionsapply:
1)Ifapersonknowsthatitbreaksthefastandisnotignorant;
Heshouldalsomakesurethatthewatchheisusingissettotherighttime,forthismight
leadthepersontobreakhisfastbeforeitspropertime.(Editor)
77

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2)Ifheisawareofwhatheisdoingandhasnotforgottenthatheis
fasting;
3)Ifhedoesitofhisownfreewillandisnotforcedtodoit.
Among the things that break the fast are actions that involve the
expulsion of bodily fluids, such as intercourse, vomiting, menstruation
andcupping;andactionsthatinvolveingestingmatter,suchaseatingand
drinking.78
(42)Amongthethingsthatbreakthefastarethingsthatareclassifiedas
being like eating or drinking, such as taking medicines and pills by
mouth,injectionsofnourishingsubstances,orbloodtransfusions.
Injections that are not given to replace food and drink but are used to
administer medications such as penicillin and insulin, tonics, or
vaccinations do not break the fast regardless of whether they are
intramuscular or intravenous.79 But as a precaution, all these injections
shouldbegivenduringthenight.
Kidneydialysis,wherebythebloodistakenout,cleaned,andputback
with some chemicals or nourishing substances such as sugars and salts
added,isconsideredtobreakthefast.80
Accordingtothemostcorrectview,suppositories,eyedrops,eardrops,
havingatoothextractedandtreatingwoundsdonotbreakthefast.81
Inhalators used for asthma do not break the fast, because this is just
compressedgasthatgoestothelungsitisnotfood,anditisneededat
alltimes,inRamadanandothers.
Havingabloodsampletakendoesnotbreakthefastandispermissible
becauseitissomethingthatisneeded.82
78

MajmooalFataawaa,25/148.

79

FataawaaIbnIbraaheem,4/189.

80

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/190.

81

MajmooFataawaaShaykhalIslam,25/233,25/245.

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Medicinesusedbygarglingdonotbreakthefastsolongastheyarenot
swallowed. If a person has a tooth filled and feels the taste of it in his
throat,thisdoesnotbreakhisfast.83
ThefollowingthingsdoNOTbreakthefast:
Havingtheearssyringed,nosedropsandnasalsprayssolongasone
avoidsswallowinganythingthatreachesthethroat.
Tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat angina and other
conditions so long as one avoids swallowing anything that reaches the
throat.
Anythinginsertedintothevagina,suchaspessaries,douches,scopesor
fingersforthepurposeofamedicalexamination.
Insertion of a scope orintrauterinedevice(IUDor coil)and the like
intotheuterus.
Insertionintotheurethraformalesorfemalesofacatheter,opaque
dye for diagnostic imaging, medication or solutions for cleansing the
bladder.
Dentalfillings,toothextractions,cleaningoftheteeth,useofsiwaakor
toothbrushsolongasoneavoidsswallowinganythingthatreachesthe
throat.
Rinsing, gargling or applying topical mouth sprays so long as one
avoidsswallowinganythingthatreachesthethroat.
Subcutaneous,intramuscularorintravenousinjectionsexceptforthose
usedtoprovidenourishment.
Oxygen.

82

FataawaaalDawah:IbnBaaz,no.979.

83

FromtheFataawaaofShaykhAbdalAzeezibnBaaz,issuedverbally.

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Anesthetic gases so long as the patient is not given nourishing

solutions.
Medications absorbed through the skin, such as creams and patches
usedtoadministermedicineandchemicals.
Insertionofacatheterintoveinsfordiagnosticimagingortreatmentof
bloodvesselsintheheartorotherorgans.
Useofalaparoscope(instrumentinsertedthroughasmallincisioninthe
abdomen)toexaminetheabdominalcavityortoperformoperations.
Taking biopsies or samples from the liver or other organs so long as
thisisnotaccompaniedbytheadministrationofsolutions.
Gastroscopysolongasthisisnotaccompaniedbytheadministration
ofsolutionsorothersubstances.
Introduction of any instrument or medication to the brain or spinal
column.
(43)AnyonewhoeatsanddrinksdeliberatelyduringthedayinRamadan
withnovalidexcusehascommittedakabeerah(gravemajorsin)andhas
to repent and make up for that fast later on. If he broke the fast with
something haraam, such as drinking alcohol, this makes his sin even
worse. Whatever the case, he has to repent sincerely and do more
voluntarydeeds,fastingandotheractsofworshipsoastoavoidhaving
any shortfallin his recordof obligatory deeds,and so that Allaah might
accepthisrepentance.
(44)Ifheforgets,andeatsanddrinks,thenlethimcompletehisfast,
forAllaahhasfedhimandgivenhimtodrink.84
Accordingtoanotherreport,
He does not have to make the fast up later or offer expiation
(kaffaarah).85
84

ReportedbyalBukhaari,Fath,no.1933.

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Ifapersonseessomeoneelsewhoiseatingbecausehehasforgottenthat
heisfasting,heshouldremindhim,becauseofthegeneralmeaningofthe
aayah:
Helponeanotherinrighteousnessandpiety.[SurahalMaa`idah
5:2]
andthehadeeth,
IfIforget,remindme.86
and that is because of the principle that this is a munkar (evil action)
thatmustbechanged.87
(45)Thosewhoneedtobreaktheirfastinordertosavesomeonewhose
lifeisindangermaydoso,buttheyshouldmakeituplater.Thisapplies
incaseswheresomeoneisdrowning,orwhenfiresneedtobeputout.
(46) If a person is obliged to fast but deliberately has intercourse during
thedayinRamadanofhisownfreewill,andwherethetwocircumcised
parts(genitals)cometogetherandtheheadofthepenispenetrateseither
thefrontorbackpassage,hisfastisbrokenwhetherornotheejaculates,
and he must repent. He should still fast for the rest of the day, but he
must make up the fast later on and offer expiation (kaffaarah). In a
hadeethnarratedbyAbuHurayrah:
Whilst we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessingsofAllaahbeuponhim),amancametohimandsaid:O
Messenger of Allaah, I am doomed! He said, What is the matter
with you? He said, I had intercourse with my wife whilst I was
fasting.TheMessengerofAllaahsaid,Doyouhaveaslavewhom
you could set free? He said, No. He said, Can you fast for two

85

ReportedbyibnKhuzaimah,ibnHibbaan,alHaakim,andDaaraqutni,Fath.(Editor)

86

AlBukhaari.(Editor)

87

MajaalisShahrRamadaan,IbnUthaymeen,p.70.

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consecutive months? He said, No. He said, Do you have the

wherewithaltofeedsixtypoorpeople?Hesaid,No88
The same ruling also applies in cases of zinaa (adultery or fornication),
homosexualityandbestiality.89
If a person has intercourse during the day on more than one day in
Ramadan, he must offer expiation for each day as well as repeating the
fastforeachday.Notknowingthatkaffaarah(expiation)isobligatoryis
noexcuse.90
(47)Ifamanwantstohaveintercoursewithhiswifebuthebreakshisfast
byeatingfirst,hissinismoreserious,becausehehasviolatedthesanctity
of the month on two counts, by eating and by having intercourse. It is
evenmorecertaininthiscasethatexpiationisobligatory,andifhetriesto
getoutofit,thatonlymakesmattersworse.Hemustrepentsincerely.91
(48) Kissing, hugging, embracing, touching and repeatedly looking at
oneswifeorconcubine,ifamanisabletocontrolhimself,ispermissible,
becauseitisreportedinBukhariandMuslimfromAa`ishah()thatthe
Prophet()usedtokissandembracehiswiveswhilsthewasfasting,but
hewasthemostincontrolofhisdesire.Withregardtothehadeethqudsi,
HekeepsawayfromhiswifeforMy(Allahs)sake.92
thisisreferringtointercourse.Butifapersonbecomesarousedquickly
andisunabletocontrolhimself,thenitisnotpermissibleforhimtokiss
orembracehiswife,becausethatwillleadtohimbreakinghisfast,ashe

88

ReportedbyalBukhaari,alFath,4,no.1936.

Translators Note: Having Intercourse from the back passage, adultery, homosexuality,
andbestialityaremajorsinsinIslamandare[evenmore]magnifiedifdoneduringtheday
ofRamadhan.

89

90

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/321.

91

SeeMajmooalFataawaa,25/262.

92

AlMundhiri,AlTargheebwalTarheeb.AlAlbanideclareditasSaheeh.(Editor)

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cannot be sure that he will be able to avoid ejaculating or having

intercourse.Allaahsaysinahadeethqudsi:
andheleaveshisdesireforMy(Allahs)sake.93
TheIslamicguidelineisthatanythingthatleadstoharaamisalsoharaam.
(49)Ifapersonisengagedintheactofintercourseanddawnappears,he
is obliged to withdraw. His fast will be valid even if he ejaculates after
withdrawal, but if he continues having intercourse until after dawn, he
has broken his fast and must repent, make the fast up later, and offer
expiation.
(50) If morning comes and a person is in a state of janaabah (impurity
followingsexualintercourse),thisdoesnotaffecthisfasting.Heorsheis
permitted to delay doing ghusl whether it is for janaabah, following
menstruation, or postnatal bleeding until dawn has appeared (though
wellbeforesunrise)butitisbettertohastentodoghuslsothatonecan
pray.
(51) If a person who is fasting sleeps and experiences a wet dream, this
does not break his fast according to scholarly consensus (ijmaa). The
person should complete his fast. Delaying doing ghusl (until after dawn
has appeared but well before sunrise) does not break the fast, but he
shouldhastentodoghuslsothathecanprayandsothattheangelswill
drawclosetohim.
(52) If a person ejaculates during the day in Ramadan because of
something that he could have refrained from, such as touching or
repeatedlylookingatawoman,hemustrepenttoAllaahandfastforthe
rest of the day and must make up that fast later. If a person starts to
masturbatebutthenstopsanddoesnotejaculate,hemustrepent,buthe
does not have to make the fast up later on because he did not ejaculate.
The person who is fasting must keep away from everything that may
provokehisdesire,andhemustrepelanybadthoughtsthatcometohim.
93

AlBukhaari.(Editor)

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However,accordingtothemostcorrectopinion,ifheemitsmadhiy(pre
seminalfluid),thisdoesnotbreakhisfast.
The emission of wadiy (prostatic fluid), a thick sticky substance that
comes out after urination with no sense of physical pleasure, does not
breakthefast.Thepersondoesnothavetodoghusl,buthedoeshaveto
doistinjaa(cleanhisprivatepartswithwater)andwudoo.94
(53) Whoever vomits unintentionally does not have to make up the
fast later on, but whoever vomits on purpose does have to make up
thefast.95
A person who vomits deliberately byinserting his fingerinto his throat,
applyingpressuretohisstomach,deliberatelysmellingarepulsiveodor,
orlookingatsomethingthatcouldmakehimvomitisobligedtomakeup
thefastlateron.Ifhefeelsthatheisabouttovomitbutthenitsubsidesby
itself,thisdoesnotbreakhisfastbecauseitisnotsomethingthathecan
control. If the vomit though, comes into his mouth and he swallows it
backdown,thisdoesbreakthefast.Ifapersonfeelssickinhisstomach,
hedoesnothavetosuppresstheurgetovomit,becausethiscouldcause
himharm.96
Ifapersonunintentionallyswallowssomethingthatisstuckbetweenhis
teeth,orifitissosmallthathecouldnottellitwasthereorspititout,this
iscountedasbeingpartofhissalivaanditdoesnotbreakhisfast.Butifit
isbigenoughtospitout,heshoulddoso.Ifhespitsitout,thisisfine,but
ifheswallowsit,thisbreakshisfast.Ifitcanbedilutedinthemouth,in
wholeorinpart,andithasanaddedtasteorsweetness,itisharaamfor
himtochewit.Ifanyofthissubstancereachesthethroat,thisbreaksthe
fast. If a person spits out water after rinsing his mouth, his fast is not
affectedbyanymoistureorwetnessthatisleftbehind,becausehecannot
helpit.
94

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/279.

95

SaheehhadeethnarratedbyalTirmidhi,3/89.

96

MajaalisSharhRamadaan,IbnUthaymeen,67.

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Ifapersonsuffersfromanosebleed,hisfastisstillvalid,becausethisis
somethingthatisbeyondhiscontrol.97
Ifhehasgumulcersorhisgumsbleedafterusingthesiwaak(toothstick),
it is not permissible for him to swallow the blood; he must spit it out.
However,ifsomebloodentershisthroatbyaccidentandhedidnotmean
for that to happen, thereis no need toworry.Similarly, if vomitrisesin
histhroatandthengoesbackdowntohisstomachwithouthimintending
forthistohappen,hisfastisstillvalid.98
With regard to mucus originating from the head (nose and sinuses) and
phlegmoriginatingfromthechestbycoughingandclearingthethroat,if
itisswallowedbeforeitreachesthemouth,thisdoesnotbreakapersons
fast,becauseitisaproblemwhichallpeoplehave;butifitisswallowed
after it reaches the mouth, this does break the fast. However, if it is
swallowedunintentionally,itdoesnotbreakthefast.
Inhaling water vapor, as may happen to people working in desalination
plants,doesnotbreakthefast.99
Itismakrooh(disliked)totastefoodunnecessarilybecausethiscarriesthe
riskthatthefastmaybebroken.Examplesofcaseswhereitisnecessary
totastefoodincludeamotherchewingfoodforaninfantwhenshehasno
otherwaytofeedhim,tastingfoodtomakesurethatitisfine,andtasting
something when making a purchase. It was reported that Ibn Abbaas
said:
Thereis nothing wrongwith tastingvinegar oranything thatone
wishestobuy.100

97

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/264.

98

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/254.

99

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/276.

ClassedashasaninIrwaaalGhaleel,4/86;SeealFath,commentaryonBaabIghtisaalal
Saa`im,KitaabalSiyaam.

100

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(54)UsingsiwaakisSunnahfortheonewhoisfastingatalltimesofthe
day,evenifitisfreshandmoist.Ifapersonwhoisfastingusesasiwaak
anddetectssomeheatorothertastefromitandswallowsit,orifhetakes
thesiwaakoutofhismouthandseessalivaonitthenputsitbackinhis
mouthandswallowsthesaliva,thisdoesnotbreakhisfast.101Heshould
avoid what contains substances which can be diluted, such as the green
siwaakorsiwaakthathasanyextraflavoraddedtoit,likelemonormint.
Heshouldspitoutanysmallpiecesthatcomeoffthesiwaakinhismouth;
he should not swallow them deliberately, but if he swallows them
accidentally,thereisnoharmdone.
(55)Ifafastingpersonisinjuredorsuffersanosebleed,orgetswateror
petrol in his mouth by accident, this does not break his fast. If he gets
dust,smokeorfliesinhismouthbyaccident,thisdoesnotbreakhisfast
either.Thingsthatonecannotavoidswallowing,likeonesownsalivaor
dustfromgrindingflour,donotbreakthefast.Ifapersongathersalotof
salivainhismouththenswallowsitonpurpose,thisdoesnotbreakthe
fastaccordingtothemostcorrectopinion.102
Iftearsreachonesthroat,ifapersonappliesoiltohishairormoustache
orifapersonuseshennaandthendetectsthetasteofitinhisthroat,this
doesnotbreakhisfast.Usinghenna,kohloroildoesnotbreakthefast.103
Thisalsoappliestocreamsusedtomoisturizeandsoftentheskin.
Thereisnothingwrongwithsmellingpleasantfragrances,usingperfume,
or applying scented creams and the like. There is nothing wrong with a
fastingpersonusingincenseaslongashedoesnotuseitassnuff.104
Itisbetternottousetoothpasteduringtheday,andtoleaveittillnight
time,becauseitscharacteristicsaretoostrong.105

101

AlFataawaaalSadiyyah,245.

102

AlMughnibyIbnQudaamah,3/106.

103

SeeMajmooalFataawaa,25/233,25/245.

104

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/314.

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(56) To be on the safe side, it is better for the fasting person not to be
treated with cupping (hijaamah). There is a strong difference of opinion
on this matter. Ibn Taymiyah suggested that the one who has cupping
donebreakshisfast,buttheonewhodoesitdoesnotbreakhisfast.
(57) Smoking breaks the fast, and it cannot be used as an excuse not to
fast.Howcanasinbetakenasanexcuse?!
(58) Immersing oneself in water or wrapping oneself in wet clothes in
ordertocooldowndoesnotbreakthefast.Thereisnothingwrongwith
pouring water over ones head to obtain relief from heat and thirst.
Swimming is disliked because it might make one break the fast (by
swallowingwater).Ifapersonsworkinvolvesdivingandhecanbesure
thathewillnotgetwaterinhismouth,thereisnothingwrongwiththis.
(59)Ifapersoneats,drinksorhasintercoursethinkingthatitisstillnight
and then realizes that dawn has already broken, there is no harm done,
because the aayah clearly states that it is permissible to do these things
until one is sure that dawn has come. Abd alRazzaaq reported with a
saheehisnaadgoingbacktoIbnAbbaas()thathesaid:
Allaah haspermittedyou toeat anddrinksolong as there isany
doubtinyourmind.106
(60)Ifapersonbreakshisfastthinkingthatthesunhasalreadysetwhen
ithasnot,hemustmakeupthefastlateron(accordingtothemajorityof
scholars).Thisisduetothefactthatthegeneralprincipleisthatitisstill
day, and a fact that is certain cannot be rejected in favor of something
doubtful.107

105

AlMajaalis,IbnUthaymeen,p.72.

FathalBaari,4/135;thisisalsotheopinionofShaykhalIslamIbnTaymiyyah,Majmoo
alFataawaa,29/263.
106

Shaykh alIslam Ibn Taymiyah thought that it was not necessary for a person in this
situationtomakeupthefast.
107

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If dawn breaks and a person still has food or drink in his mouth, the
fuqahaaareinagreementthatheshouldspititout,andhisfastisvalid.
Thisisliketherulingononewhoeatsordrinksbecauseheforgets,then
remembersheisfastingifhehastenstospitoutthefoodordrinkinhis
mouth,hisfastisstillvalid.

RulingsonFastingforWomen
(62)Awomanwhohasreachedtheageofpubertybutistooshytotell
anyoneandthusdoesnotfastmustrepentandmakeupthedaysshehas
missed. If the following Ramadan comes and she has not yet made up
those days, she must also feed a poor person for each day as an act of
expiationfordelayingherfast.Hercaseislikethatofawomanwhofasts
thedaysofherperiodoutofshynessanddoesnotmakethemuplater.
If a woman does not know exactly how many days she has missed, she
should fast until she is fairly certain that she has made up the days she
had missed and not made up from previous Ramadans, and offer the
expiation for delaying for each day. She can do this at the same time as
fastingorseparately,dependingonwhatsheisabletodo.
(63)AwomanshouldnotfastexceptduringRamadanifherhusband
is present without his permission, but if he is traveling then it does not
matter.
(64) When a menstruating woman sees the white substance which is
dischargedbytheuteruswhentheperiodisfinishedbywhichawoman
knows that she has now become taahir (pure), she should have the
intention to fast from the night before and should fast. If she does not
have a time when she knows she is taahir, she should insert a piece of
cottonorsomethingsimilar,andifitcomesoutclean,sheshouldfast.If
she starts to bleed again, she should stop fasting whether the blood is a

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floworjustspotting,becauseitbreaksthefastaslongasitcomesatthe
timeoftheperiod.108
If the cessation of bleeding continues until Maghrib, and she has fasted
withtheintentionfromthenightbefore,thenherfastisvalid.Ifawoman
feelsthemovementofmenstrualbloodinsideherbutitdoesnotcomeout
untilafterthesunhasset,herfastisvalidandshedoesnothavetomake
thedayuplater.
If a womans period or postnatal bleeding ceases during the night, and
shemakestheintentiontofast,butdawncomesbeforesheisabletodo
ghusl,accordingtoallthescholarsherfastisvalid.109
(65) If a woman knows that her period will come tomorrow, she should
stillcontinueherintentionandkeepfasting;sheshouldnotbreakherfast
untilsheactuallyseestheblood.
(66) It is better for a menstruating woman to remain natural and accept
whatAllaahhasdecreedforherwithouttakinganymedicationtoprevent
herfrombleeding.SheshouldbecontentwithwhatAllaahacceptsfrom
her of breaking her fast during her period and making those days up
later.ThisishowtheMothersoftheBelieversandthewomenoftheSalaf
were. (Fataawaa alLajnah alDaa`imah, 10/151). Moreover, there is
medical evidence to prove that many of the things used to prevent
bleeding are in fact harmful, and many women have suffered from
irregular periods as a result of taking them. However, if a woman does
that and takes something to stop the bleeding and then fasts, this is
acceptable.
(67) Istihaadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding) does not have any effect on
thevalidityofthefast.
(68)Ifapregnantwomanhasamiscarriageandthefetushastakenshape
or has a discernible outline of any part of the body, such as a head or
108

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/154.

109

AlFath,4/148.

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hand, then her bloodis considered nifaas (postpartum). If, however, she
passessomethingthatlookslikeabloodclot(alaq)orachewedpieceof
meat (mudghah) that has no discernible human features, her bleeding is
istihaadah(falsemenstruation).Ifsheisable,shemustfast,otherwiseshe
canbreakherfastandmakeituplateron.110Onceshebecomescleanafter
having an operation to clean the womb (D&C), she should fast. The
scholarsstatedthattheembryoisconsideredtostarttakingshapeafter80
daysofpregnancy.
Ifawomanbecomescleanfromnifaasbeforefortydays,sheshouldfast
anddoghuslsothatshecanpray.111Ifthebleedingresumeswithinforty
daysafterthebirth,sheshouldstopfasting,becausethisisstillnifaas.If
the bleeding continues after the fortieth day, she should make the
intentiontofastanddoghusl(accordingtothemajorityofscholars),and
anybleedingbeyondthefortiethdayisconsideredtobeistihaadah(non
menstrual bleeding) unless it coincides with the usual time of her
period,inwhichcaseitishayd(menstrualblood).
If a breastfeeding woman fasts during the day and sees a spot of blood
during the night although she was clean during the day, her fast is still
valid.112
(69)Accordingtothemostcorrectopinion,awomanwhoispregnantor
breastfeedingisregardedasbeinglikeonewhoisill,sosheispermitted
not to fast. She is only obligated to make up the days that she missed,
whethershefearsforherselforforherchild.TheProphet()said:
Allaah has lifted the obligation of fasting and part of the prayer
from the traveler, and He has lifted the obligation of fasting from
thepregnantandbreastfeedingwoman.113

110

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/224.

111

AlMughnimaaalSharhalKabeer,1/360.

112

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/150.

113

ReportedbyalTirmidhi,3/85;hesaid(itisa)hasanhadeeth.

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Ifapregnantwomanfastsandexperiencessomebleeding,herfastisstill
validanddoesnotaffectitatall.114
(70) In the case of a woman who is obligated to fast, if her husband has
intercourse with her during the day in Ramadan with her consent, then
therulingthatappliestohimalsoappliestoher.Ifhoweverheforcesher
todoso,sheshoulddoherbesttoresisthim.Ifshewasunsuccessful,she
does not have to offer expiation. Ibn Aqeel (may Allaah have mercy on
him)saidthatawomanwhosehusbandhasintercoursewithherduring
the day in Ramadan whilst she is sleeping does not have to offer
expiation.
Asaprecaution,sheshouldmakeupthatfastlateron.115
A woman who knows that her husband cannot control himself should
keepawayfromhimandnotadornherselfduringthedayinRamadan.
WomenhavetomakeupthefaststhattheymissduringRamadan,evenif
theydosowithouttheirhusbandsknowledge.Itisnotaconditionforan
obligatory fast for a woman to have the permission of her husband. If a
womanstartstoobserveanobligatoryfast,sheisnotallowedtobreakit
exceptforalegitimatereason.Herhusbandisnotpermittedtoorderher
tobreakherfastwhensheismakingupadaythatshehasmissed;heis
notallowedtohaveintercoursewithherwhensheismakingupamissed
fast,andsheisnotallowedtoobeyhiminthatregard.116
In the case of voluntary fasts, a woman is not permitted to start a non
obligatoryfastwhenherhusbandispresentwithouthispermission,due
tothehadeethnarratedbyAbuHurayrah(),inwhichtheProphet()
said:

114

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/225.

ShaykhalIslamIbnTaymiyah(mayAllaahhavemercyonhim)wasoftheopinionthat
thisdidnotinvalidateherfastatall.
115

116

FataawaaalLajnahalDaa`imah,10/353.

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No woman should fast when her husband is present except with

hispermission.117

117

ReportedbyalBukhaari,4793.

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Conclusion
In conclusion, this is what I was able to write about issues concerning
fasting.IaskAllaahtohelpustorememberHim,thankHimandworship
Him properly, and to conclude our Ramadan with forgiveness, and to
saveusfromtheFire.
May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and
companions,andgrantthempeace.

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