Question & Answer
The punishment for breaking the fast in Ramadaan with no excuse
Praise be to Allaah.
Fasting in Ramadaan is one of the pillars on which Islam is built. Allaah tells us that He has prescribed it for the believers of this ummah [nation], as He prescribed it for those who came before them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious” [al-Baqarah 2:183]
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
Al-Bukhaari (8) and Muslim (16) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god but Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; Hajj; and fasting Ramadaan.”
Whoever does not fast has abandoned one of the pillars of Islam, and is committing a grave major sin. Indeed some of the salaf were of the view that he is a kaafir [disbeliever] and apostate – we seek refuge with Allaah from that.
Abu Ya’la narrated in his Musnad from Ibn ‘Abbaas رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The bonds of Islam and the bases of religion are three, on which Islam was founded. Whoever gives up one of them becomes a kaafir thereby and it is permissible to shed his blood: the testimony that there is no god but Allaah, the prescribed prayers and fasting Ramadaan.”
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Dhahabi, and as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 1/48, and by al-Mundhiri in al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 805, 1486. Classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah, no. 94.
Al-Dhahabi said in al-Kabaa’ir, p. 64.
Whoever does not fast in Ramadaan without being sick or having any other excuse that allows him not to fast is more evil than the adulterer or drunkard, indeed they doubted his Islam and thought that this was heresy.
A saheeh report which warns against not fasting was narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah (1986) and Ibn Hibbaan (7491) from Abu Umaamah al-Baahili who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ say: “Whilst I was sleeping two men came to me and took my by the arm and brought me to a cragged mountain. They said, ‘Climb up.’ I said, ‘I cannot.’ They said, ‘We will make it easy for you.’ So I climbed up until I was at the top of the mountain. Then I heard loud voices. I said, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘This is the howling of the people of Hell.” Then I was taken until I saw people hanging by their hamstrings, with the sides of their mouths torn and blood pouring from their mouths.’ I said, ‘Who are these?’ He said, ‘These are people who broke their fast before it was time.’” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Mawaarid al-Zam’aan, no. 1509.
Al-Albaaniرحمة الله عليه said: This is the punishment of those who fasted then broke the fast deliberately before the time for breaking the fast came, so who about those who do not fast at all? We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound in this world and in the Hereafter.
Our advice to the brother who asked this question is to fear Allaah and to beware of His wrath, vengeance and a painful punishment. He should hasten to repent to Allaah before the destroyer of pleasures that splits people apart [i.e., death] takes him unawares. Today there is action and no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be the reckoning and no action. Note that whoever repents, Allaah will accept his repentance, and whoever draws closer to Allaah one hand span, Allaah will draw closer to him one cubit. For Allaah is Most Generous, Forbearing and Most Merciful, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Know they not that Allaah accepts repentance from His slaves and takes the Sadaqaat (alms, charity), and that Allaah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?” [al-Tawbah 9:104]
If you try fasting and find out how easy it is and what comfort it brings and how close it brings you to Allaah, you will never give it up.
Think about what Allaah says at the end of the verses on fasting (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
The phrase, “so that you may be grateful to Him” shows that fasting is a blessing for which we must give thanks. Hence some of the salaf used to wish that the whole year was Ramadaan.
We ask Allaah to help you and guide you, and to open your heart to that which will bring you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Ruling on celebrating the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab and the night of the middle of Sha‘ban
Q: Regarding the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab and the night of the middle of Sha‘ban, Muslims are used to celebrating them every year where they serve greasy foods and suchlike. What is your opinion regarding this?
A: These are two Bid‘ahs (innovations in religion): Celebrating the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab and the night of the middle of Sha‘ban are two Bid‘ahs based on no evidence. It is not proven that the Prophetﷺ stated that the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab is the Night of Isra’ (Night Journey) and Mi‘raj (Ascension to Heaven). The Hadiths related in this regard are not Sahih (authentic) according to scholars. Even if it is proven that this night is the Night of Mi‘raj, it is not permissible to celebrate it because neither the Messengerﷺ nor his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) – who are our example to pattern after – celebrated it
What is Bid‘ah?
Q: What is Bid‘ah? What are its categories? Is it permissible for me to offer Salah (Prayer) behind an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) practicing some Bid‘ahs?
A: Bid‘ah refers to every innovated act of worship which the Shar‘ (Allah’s Law) has not ordained. Every Bid‘ah is a going astray. It has no categories and all forms of it is a deviation from right, as the Prophetﷺ said: Every newly-introduced matter is a Bid‘ah and every Bid‘ah is a Dalalah (deviation from what is right). Heﷺ used to say in his sermons:
(Part No. 3; Page No. 14)
Ama Ba‘d (Now then), the best of speech is the Book of Allah, the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammadﷺ, the most evil of matters are those which are newly-introduced (in religion). And heﷺ used to say: Every Bid‘ah is a Dalalah. Heﷺ said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. And: Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. Bid‘ah signifies all baseless acts of worship which people introduced in religion. They are called "Bid‘ahs", and all of them are condemned and forbidden.
As for the classification made by some people for Bid‘ah into Wajib (obligatory), Haram (prohibited), Makruh (reprehensible), Mustahab (desirable) and Mubah (permissible), this is wrong and the right is that all kinds of Bid‘ahs are misguidance as stated by the Prophetﷺ in the Hadith. If an Imam is committing a Bid‘ah that is tantamount to Kufr (disbelief), then Muslims must not offer Salah (Prayer) led by him. An example of suchlike is the Bid‘ah of Al-Jahmiyyah (a deviant Islamic sect denying some Attributes of Allah, claiming they are ascribed to people and cannot be ascribed to Allah), Al-Mu`tazilah (a deviant Islamic sect claiming that those who commit major sins are in a state between belief and disbelief) and their like. As for Bid‘ah that does not tantamount to Kufr such as declaring intention loudly by saying: "I intend to offer such-and-such a Salah," or suchlike, there is nothing wrong with offering Salah behind an Imam who does so, but he should be taught the right manner, as he should not say his intention loudly; rather; he should have it in his heart, which is sufficient, praise be to Allah. The same applies to the Bid‘ah of holding gatherings for commemorating Mawlids (birthdays), as long as the practice does not involve acts of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), it does not entail Kufr.
(Part No. 3; Page No. 15)
But if it involves acts of Shirk, such as supplicating to the Prophetﷺ or the person whose Mawlid is being celebrated, or calling upon them for help, whether this is the Mawlid of `Aly, or Al-Hasan or Al-Husayn or even the Prophetﷺ or Fatimah. Calling upon the one for whom the Mawlid is held, seeking their help, making a vow to them or slaughtering a sacrificial animal for their sake, all of these are acts of major Shirk. If, however, people only gather for reciting the Qur’an or eating food, this is a Bid‘ah that does not render its committer a Kafir (disbeliever).
Ruling on offering Salat-ul-Ragha’ib on the first Friday eve of Rajab
Q: What is the Ruling on Salat-ul-Ragha’ib (Prayer for great bounties or wishes) and Salat-ul-Tasabih (Prayer of glorification) and how to perform them?
A: The original rule concerning acts of worship is that they are Tawqifiy (bound by a religious text and not amenable to personal opinion) i.e. a Muslim should only worship Allah through acts of worship whose legality are proven by the authentically reported Naql (primary Islamic source texts: Qur’an and Hadith). According to our religion, acts of worship are based on Naql, not on what appeals to reason and inclinations.
With regard to Salat-ul-Ragha’ib, there is no authentically reported Naql that proves its legality. Moreover, it was not practiced by the Prophetﷺ, his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them), or the Imams of the Salaf (righteous predecessors, may Allah be merciful to them).
Everything that is reported about this Salah (Prayer) is fabricated according to the unanimous agreement of scholars. The Imams have rejected it and indicated that it is Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). They also displayed the falsehood of the Hadith mentioned in this regard. As to the way of performing it, it is said that the person is to offer twelve Rak‘ahs (units of Prayer) between Maghrib (Sunset) and ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayers on the first Friday eve of the month of Ragab.
With regard to Salat-ul-Tasabih (Prayer of glorification), there is a Hadith narrated concerning it, but it is not Sahih (authentic); rather it is Hadith Munkar (rejected Hadith reported by a weak narrator whose narration conflicts with an authentic Hadith). When asked about Salat-ul-Tasabih, Imam Ahmad (may Allah be merciful to him) said: "I do not approve of it." It was asked: "Why?" He replied: "There is nothing correct in it." And, he gestured with his hand disapprovingly. As to its description: it consists of four Rak‘ahs where the Fatihah (Opening chapter of the Qur’an) and another Surah are to be recited in every Rak‘ah. Then, after finishing the recital, the person is to say fifteen times:
(Part No. 61; Page No. 87)
"Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah)", "Al-hamdu lillah (All praise is due to Allah)", "La ilaha illa Allah (There is no deity but Allah)", and "Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)". Then, he is to bow and say this ten times, then stand up and say this ten times, then prostrate and say this ten times, then raise his head and say this ten times, then prostrate and say this ten times, and then raise his head and say this ten times. In total he has to say this seventy-five times per Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer).
It is claimed that a person has to perform this Salah (Prayer) once every day, week, month, year, or at least once in a life time.
There is no doubt that the manner of performing this Salah is strange and inconsistent with the manner of normal Salah; the same applies to the appointment of its time. This is because the Matn (text of Hadith) concerning it is Munkar (rejected for conflicting with authentic Hadith). Imam Ahmad, who is a leader in this science, judged it to be Munkar and did not verify it; rather, he ranked it as Da‘if (weak). Worshipping Allah, the Almighty, with acts that are not proven to be Mashru‘ (Islamically legal) is Bid‘ah. And Allah knows best.
Source: Islamic Research Journal
Making a vow to fast the whole month of Rajab
Fatwa no. 11265
Q: I vowed to fast the whole month of Rajab, as the people in my country are used to honor this month more than any other month, except that of Ramadan. Since then, I have not fulfilled that vow because of being busy with life matters. Whenever I postpone Sawm (Fast) to the following year, I become more preoccupied and could not fulfill my vow. Now, am I obliged to fast the month of Rajab, or it is permissible for me to fast any other month? I am a diabetic and I become very tired by the time Ramadan comes to an end. Is it lawful for me to feed Miskins (needy people) as Kaffarah (expiation) for my unfulfilled vow? I only know one poor family; could I give its member all the food that must be given to ten Miskins? If not, should I give the food to a charitable society, such as the society of King `Abdul-`Aziz? Is it preferable to pay money or give food such as rice?
(Part No. 23; Page No. 153)
If feeding is not permissible to expiate for broken vows, is it permissible to observe Sawm for ten separate days each month, for example? Kindly give us your Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this regard. May Allah reward you with the best!
A: You must offer Kaffarah for breaking an oath, because singling out Rajab for Sawm is an act of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance). The Kaffarah is to feed ten Miskins, or provide them with clothing, or emancipate a believing slave. If none of these is affordable, you must observe Sawm for three days.
May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
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