A summary of the most important issues and rulings on fasting
Praise be to God, and may blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of God, and I bear witness that there is no god but God alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, And after:
This is a summary of the most important rulings on fasting, in seven issues:
The first issueMeaning of fasting:
• Fasting literally means constipation.
• As for its legal meaning: it is abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse, and other things that break the fast from the rise of the true dawn until sunset, with the intention of getting closer to God Almighty.
The second issue: The pillars of fasting:
Fasting has two pillars without which fasting is not valid:
1- Abstaining from things that break the fast; The evidence is the Almighty’s saying: And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread, then complete the fast until nightfall… ﴾ [البقرة: 187]verse.
2- Intention, the evidence of which is the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((Actions are but by intentions, and each person will have but what he intended)); [رواه البخاري ومسلم عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه].
• The intention is made every night of the month, and is valid at any part of the night. Due to the hadith of Hafsa, may God be pleased with her, on the authority of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, he said: ((Whoever does not spend the night fasting before dawn, there is no fasting for him)); [رواه أبو داود، وصححه الألباني]And in a narration: ((There is no fasting for one who does not observe it during the night)); [رواه الدَّارَقُطْنِيُّ].
• It is not permissible to pronounce it; Whoever eats suhoor at night with the intention of fasting has intended to fast, and whoever comes to his heart during the night that he is fasting has intended it even if he does not wake up for suhoor.
•As for voluntary fasting, the intention is valid at any time. According to the hadith of Aisha, may God be pleased with her, she said: The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, entered upon me one day and said: ((Do you have anything?)) We said: No. He said: ((Then I am fasting)); [رواه مسلم].
The third issue: What proves the beginning of the month?
The beginning of the month of Ramadan is confirmed by one of two things, without a third:
the first: Sighting of the crescent; If people see the crescent of Ramadan, they must fast. Because God Almighty says: So whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast it. ﴾ [البقرة: 185]On the authority of Ibn Umar, may God be pleased with them, he said: I heard the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, saying: ((If you see it, fast, and when you see it, break your fast. If it is difficult for you, then make up for it.)); [متفق عليه].
• It is achieved by seeing a Muslim who is responsible for justice. According to the hadith of Ibn Omar, may God be pleased with them, he said: (The people saw the crescent, so I told the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, that I had seen it. He fasted and ordered the people to fast.); [رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ، وصححه الألباني].
the second: Completing the number of thirty days for the month of Sha`ban when the crescent is not sighted, or its sighting is prevented by clouds or rain and the like; According to the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((Fast at its sighting and break your fast at its sighting; if it occults to you, then complete the thirty days of Sha`ban)); [رواه البخاري].
• It is known from the above that it is not permissible to work according to the calculation, nor is it reliable, nor does it prove the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
The fourth issue: Who is obligated to fast?
Fasting is obligatory for: every adult, sane, capable, resident Muslim free of any obstacles; To detail these conditions:
1- Islam is a condition of validity and obligation. If an infidel fasts, it will not be accepted from him until he converts to Islam. The evidence is the Almighty’s saying: And nothing prevented them from having their expenses accepted from them except that they disbelieved in God and His Messenger, and they do not perform prayer except when they are lazy and do not spend. Except they hate it ﴾ [التوبة: 54].
2- Among the conditions for the obligation of fasting are: reason; It is not obligatory for a crazy person who does not understand; This is until the intention is fulfilled; The evidence is his saying, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((The Pen has been lifted from three people: from the sleeper until he wakes up, from the boy until he has a wet dream, and from the insane until he regains his senses)); [رواه أبو داود، والترمذي، وصحَّحه الألباني].
3- Among the conditions for the obligation of fasting are: puberty, so it is not obligatory for a child who has not reached puberty. However, it is desirable for the boy’s guardian to accustom him to fasting and not prevent him if he is able to do so.
• Some scholars say that he is to be measured against prayer by ordering him to fast for seven days and beating him for neglecting ten days.
•Puberty occurs through one of three things: These are: having a wet dream, growing pubic hair, or reaching the age of fourteen; The female experiences a fourth sign: menstrual bleeding.
4- Among the conditions for the obligation of fasting are: the ability to do so; Thus, those who are unable to fast will be discharged. Such as: the old man, the old woman, the pregnant and breastfeeding woman, and the sick person, whether the illness is hoped to be cured or a chronic illness, may God protect us.
•Illness: It is a physical ailment that makes one incapable of performing tasks. There are three cases:
A- That fasting will be difficult for him and cause him harm. He must break his fast and must make up for it.
B- That it is difficult for him but does not cause him harm. In this case, he may break the fast and make up for it.
T- It is not difficult for him and does not cause him harm. He must fast.
5- Among the conditions for the obligation of fasting are: residence; Thus, the traveler embarks on a permissible journey in which prayer will be shortened.
6- Among the conditions for the obligation of fasting is that the woman be free from menstruation and postpartum.
The fifth issue: The categories of fasting people:
1- The first section: Those who are required to fast and for whom it is forbidden to break the fast: They are those who meet the six previous conditions.
• If someone who fulfills these conditions breaks his fast and there are no impediments for him, Knowing and deliberately remembering, he has committed one of the gravest and major sins, and he will not disbelieve in that unless he denies and denies the obligation of fasting.
2- The second category: Those who are obliged to break the fast and for whom fasting is forbidden: namely menstruating women and postpartum women. They must break the fast and make up for the fast after Ramadan. The evidence is the saying of Aisha, may God be pleased with her: (We used to menstruate during the time of the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, and we were ordered to make up for fasting and were not ordered to make up for prayer.)Post-partum bleeding is the same as menstruation.
3- Section Three: Those who are permitted to break the fast and must make up for it; They are: the traveler and the sick person who hopes to be cured. The evidence is the Almighty’s saying: And whoever is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days… ﴾ [البقرة: 185]..the verse.
•This section also includes: pregnant and breastfeeding women if they fear for themselves or their infants.
4- Section Four: Those who are permitted to break the fast and must pay a ransom; They are: the elderly man, the old woman, the chronically ill person, and the pregnant woman and breastfeeding woman. If they continue to be pregnant and breastfeeding, they will be given a ransom. Otherwise, they must make up for it if they are able to do so. The evidence is the saying of God Almighty: And those who are able to bear it must pay a ransom by feeding one poor person… ﴾ [البقرة: 184]Ibn Abbas said in this verse: (It is not abrogated, it is for the elderly who cannot fast)And he also said: (If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears for their children, they should break their fast and feed themselves); [رواه أبو داود].
• These three are obligated to feed a poor person for every day they broke their fast, and its amount is half a saa’ of the majority of the country’s food. [ومقداره بالأوزان الحديثة كيلو جرام ونصف تقريبًا من الأرز، أو الدقيق ونحوهما].
The sixth issue: things that invalidate the fast or (that break the fast), which are of two types:
The first section: What invalidates the fast and requires making up for it:
1- Eating and drinking intentionally; But if he forgets to eat or drink, then his fast is complete and he does not have to do anything, nor does he have to make up for it. According to the hadith of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, he said: The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Whoever forgets while fasting, and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for God only fed him and gave him drink)); [متفق عليه]And in a narration: ((Whoever breaks the fast in Ramadan out of forgetfulness, there is no making up for it or expiation)); [رواه الحاكم].
2- Vomiting intentionally, but if he is overcome by vomiting, his fast is not invalidated or he must make up for it. This is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Whoever is overcome by vomiting, he does not have to make up for it, and whoever vomits, he must make up for it)); [رواه أصحاب السنن].
3- Menstrual and postpartum blood for a woman; If a woman menstruates or gives birth, even in the last moments of the day, her fast is invalidated, and she must make up that day. This is due to his saying, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((Is it not the case that if a woman menstruates, she does not pray or fast?)) They said: “Yes.” [متفق عليه].
4- masturbation; It is intentionally expelling semen by hand, directly, or by kissing and constantly looking. This is because it contradicts the purpose of fasting. As stated in the Holy Hadith: ((He gives up his food, his drink, and his desire for my sake)); [متفق عليه].
5- Hesitation in the intention, or intention of breaking the fast; If he intends while he is fasting and resolves to break his fast, decisively and intentionally mentioning that he is fasting, his fast is invalidated, even if he does not eat or drink; This is due to his saying, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((Actions are but by intentions, and each person will have but what he intended)); [متفق عليه].
Second section: What invalidates the fast and requires making up for it and making atonement. It is intercourse. Whoever has intercourse with his wife during the day in Ramadan, knowingly, intentionally, and remembering, will invalidate his fast, and must make up the fast and make up for it. It is: freeing a slave, and if he cannot afford it, then fasting for two consecutive months, and if he is not able to do so, then feeding sixty poor people. It is in this order and not by choice.
•All of these spoilers are not ruled to invalidate the fast unless he: knows about their ruling, remembers his fast, and chooses and is not forced.
Seventh Question: Etiquette and Recommendations of Fasting:
1- Suhoor and its delay; Because he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Eat the suhoor meal; for there is a blessing in the suhoor meal)); [متفق عليه]And his saying, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((A separation between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book, those who eat magic)).
• It is desirable to delay it; Because he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((My nation will remain well as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast and delay the suhoor meal)); [رواه مسلم].
• Suhoor is accomplished with anything, even a handful of water. Because he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Suhoor is a meal of blessing, so do not abandon it, even if one of you takes a sip of water; for God and His angels send blessings upon those who eat suhoor)); [رواه أحمد، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رضي الله عنه، وحسنه الألباني].
2- Breaking the fast hastened if the sun has set. Because he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((People will remain well as long as they hasten to break the fast.)); [رواه البخاري]And in a narration: ((God Almighty said: The most beloved of My servants to Me is the one who is quickest to break the fast)); [رواه الترمذي، وضعفه الألباني].
3- The mushroom should be on fresh fruits, and if it is not found then on dates. On the authority of Anas, may God be pleased with him, he said: “The Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, would break his fast before praying with fresh dates, and if they were not fresh dates, then dates, and if they were not fresh dates, he would eat a handful of water.” [رواه الترمذي، وصحَّحه الألباني].
4- Supplication during fasting, especially when breaking the fast; According to the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((When the fasting person breaks his fast, there is a supplication that will not be rejected.)); [رواه ابن ماجه].
• As for the mention mentioned by the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, when breaking the fast: He is: ((The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is guaranteed, God willing)); [رواه أبو داود].
•What is reported from the Companions: ((Oh God, I fasted for you, and with your provision I broke my fast)).
• If he breaks his fast with someone else, it is Sunnah to pray for them, as the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, taught us: ((The fasting people broke their fast with you, the righteous ate your food, and the angels bless you)); [رواه أبو داود، وصححه الألباني].
5- To be careful of actions and words that spoil his fast, and to stay away from obscenity and noise. Because he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Whoever does not give up false speech, acting on it, and ignorance, God has no need for him to give up his food and drink)); [رواه البخاري]And his saying, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((If it is a day for one of you to fast, he should not be obscene or noisy)); [متفق عليه].
6- Saying: I am fasting to someone who insults or insults him. This is due to the saying of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace: ((If it is a day for one of you to fast, he should not be obscene or loud. If anyone insults him or fights him, let him say: I am fasting, I am fasting)); [متفق عليه] The scholars said: One is a reminder to himself, and the other is a reminder to his opponent.
7- Being generous, feeding the poor, and breaking the fast for those who are fasting; The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ((Whoever breaks the fast for a fasting person will have a reward similar to his reward, except that it will not detract from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest)); [رواه الترمذي، وصحَّحه الألباني]And on the authority of Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with them both, he said: “The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was the most generous of people, and he was the most generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him, and he would meet him every night of Ramadan and study the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, was more generous with goodness than the blowing wind.” [متفق عليه].
8- Do a lot of good deeds; Taking advantage of the blessing and honor of time, and doubling the rewards and good deeds.
We ask God Almighty to teach us what will benefit us, and to benefit us with what He has taught us, and to accept our fasting and all our deeds.