FASTING CHAPTER

BOOK OF FASTING

Requirements for the Obligation of Fasting in Ramadan

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim who has reached puberty, is of sound mind, and is physically capable. Children who are deemed capable are also encouraged to begin practicing fasting.

The start of Ramadan is determined by three conditions:

The completion of the 30th day of Sha'ban.

The sighting of the crescent moon of Ramadan.

The presence of cloudiness, fog, or darkness on the 30th night of Sha'ban that obstructs the view of the crescent moon.

If a person sights the crescent moon alone, they are obligated to begin fasting for themselves. If the sighter is a just (trustworthy) person, their testimony is the basis for all Muslims to begin fasting. However, to determine the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), the testimony of at least two just persons is required. If a person sights the crescent moon alone, they are not permitted to immediately break their fast.

Muslims may break their fast (celebrate Eid al-Fitr) if they have fulfilled their 30-day fast based on the testimony of two people. However, if the weather is cloudy or there is only one witness, they are prohibited from breaking the fast and must complete the number of months to 30 days. For a prisoner who is confused about determining the month, he must make ijtihad (try to determine the time). Fasting is valid if the ijtihad is done exactly in that month or after, but is considered invalid if it is done before the time of Ramadan arrives.

Laws for those who break the fast during the day of Ramadhan

There are four groups who are allowed not to fast:

Travelers and Sick People: Sick people who are in danger of fasting and travelers who fulfill the requirements for qashar prayer may break their fast. For them, breaking the fast is more important but they must make up for it (qadha) at a later date. If they still choose to fast, the law is valid.

Menstruating and Postpartum Women: They are prohibited from fasting and must break the fast. If they continue to fast, then their fast is invalid, and they must make up for it.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: If they fear for their own safety, they may break their fast and simply make up the missed fasts. However, if they break their fast out of concern for their child's health, they are required to make up the missed fasts and feed one poor person (fidyah) for each missed day.

The Elderly and Chronically Ill: Elderly or sick people with no hope of recovery are permitted to skip fasting and are required to pay the fidyah of feeding one poor person each day.

Expiation for Sexual Intercourse:

Any person who is obligated to fast but intentionally breaks it through sexual intercourse must make up the missed fast and pay a heavy fine (kafarat) in the following order: freeing a slave; if unable to do so, fasting for two consecutive months; and if unable to do all of these, the obligation to expiate is waived. If the act is repeated before the fine is paid, the expiation remains one; however, if repeated after the fine is paid, the person must pay another fine.

Rules for Qadha and Vows:

If someone delays making up missed fasts for a sharia reason until the next Ramadan, they simply need to make up the missed fasts. However, if the delay was due to negligence, they must make up the missed fasts by feeding one poor person per day. If a person dies with a shariah reason for a missed fast, they are not sinful. However, if they die with a shariah reason for no reason, their guardian must feed one poor person for each missed day. For fasts owed due to a vow or other act of obedience, the guardian must compensate for those missed fasts.

Things That Invalidate and Do Not Invalidate the Fast

Things That Invalidate the Fast:

The fast is invalidated if a person knowingly eats, drinks, injects medicine through the nose or mouth until it reaches the stomach, vomits intentionally, masturbates, and engages in physical contact (kissing/touching) with his wife resulting in semen or madhi. Similarly, if someone repeatedly looks at his wife resulting in semen, or performs cupping intentionally. However, if these actions occur due to forgetfulness or coercion, the fast is not invalidated.

Things That Do Not Invalidate the Fast:

The fast is not invalidated if a fly or dust accidentally enters the throat, water enters the throat while gargling or istinshaq (cleaning the nose), semen is released while thinking only about lust, dripping something onto the genitals, having a wet dream, or vomiting accidentally.

Rules Regarding Doubt:

If a person eats while thinking that night has fallen when it is actually still daytime, he must make up for the fast. If a person drinks while unsure whether dawn has broken, his fast is still valid. However, if he eats while unsure whether the sun has set, he must make up for the fast.

Sunnah Fasts

The Fast of David: Fasting one day and breaking the fast one day is the most virtuous fast.

Main Months: Fasting in the month of Muharram (Shahrullah) is the best after Ramadan. Good deeds are also highly esteemed during the first 10 days.

in the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Shawwal Fasting: Fasting six days after Ramadan is equivalent to fasting for an entire year.

Fasting on the Day of Arafah & Ashura: Fasting on Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year, while fasting on Arafah expiates the sins of two years (for those not performing Hajj).

Regular Fasting: Fasting Yaum al-Bidh (the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month) and fasting on Mondays and Thursdays are recommended.

In voluntary fasting, one is free to choose whether to continue or cancel it without the obligation to make up for it, unlike the Hajj and Umrah, which must be completed or made up for missed fasts. Fasting is strictly prohibited on Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the days of Tashriq, except for Hajj pilgrims who are unable to slaughter a sacrificial animal (hadyu). Laylat al-Qadr is emphasized on the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

Itikaf

Iktikaf is remaining silent in the mosque to focus on worshiping Allah. The law is sunnah, unless it is prescribed, it becomes obligatory.

Place: Men may only perform itikaf in mosques that hold congregational prayers, and especially in Jami' mosques (which hold Friday prayers). Women can perform Iqtikaf at any mosque other than the prayer place at home.

Place Nadzar: If someone makes the vow of iktikaf in one mosque, he may do so in another mosque, unless the vow is specific for the Grand Mosque, the Nabawi Mosque, or the Aqsa Mosque. Nadzar at the Nabawi Mosque can be done at the Grand Mosque. Nadzar at the Al Aqsa Mosque can be done at the Nabawi Mosque or the Grand Mosque.

Adab Iktikaf: It is recommended to increase obedience and stay away from useless chatter. People who perform Iqtikaf may not leave the mosque without the required reasons and sexual relations are prohibited. He is permitted to simply ask how a sick person is doing while passing by without intentionally visiting them.

Reference:

Umdatul Fiqh