Lessons In The Month Of Ramadhaan # 3

Obligation of Fasting in Ramadhaan
(Revised on March 18, 2017)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

All praises are for Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions and all those who follow their path.

My brothers! Verily Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is one of the pillars of Islaam and one of its core foundations. Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ * أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ  شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِى أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾ [البقرة: 183-185].

{O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the Fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon. [Observing Saum (Fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can Fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to Fast or) to feed a Miskeen (needy person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you Fast is better for you if only you know. The month of Ramadhaan 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 Ramadhaan, i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (Fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (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.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 183-185]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«بُنِي الإِسلامُ على خَمْسٍ: شهادةِ أنْ لا إِله إِلاَّ الله وأنَّ محمداً رسولُ الله، وإقام الصلاةِ، وإيتاءِ الزكاةِ، وحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ، وَصومِ رمضانَ»، متفق عليه. ولمسلم: «وصومِ رمضانَ وَحَجِّ البيتِ»

“Islaam is based on (the following) five (principles): that you testify that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the Fast of Ramadhaan, and perform pilgrimage to the (House)”[1]

And there is an absolute consensus among the Muslims that Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is obligatory, which is known by necessity. So, whosoever rejects its obligation has done kufr (disbelieved); and he should repent from it. If he does repent and accepts the obligation of Fasting (then that is well and good), otherwise he should be killed as a Kaafir, an apostate from his religion. No Ghusl (bath) should be given to him, nor should he be shrouded. The Salaah (of Janaazah) should not be offered for him, and no supplications for mercy should be made for him; nor should he be buried in the graveyard of the Muslims. Rather, a hole should be dug for him in a far-off place and be buried there – so that the people are not offended by his smell, and that his family is not hurt with his presence.

It became obligatory to Fast in the month of Ramadhaan in the second year after the Hijrah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم Fasted for nine years (before his death). And Fasting was made obligatory in two stages:

In the first stage, a person was given a choice to either to Fast or to feed (the poor), with more preference to Fasting.

In the second stage, Fasting was enjoined without a choice. It is reported in the Saheehain on the authority of Salamah bin al-Akwa` that he said:

عن سَلَمة بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه قال لما نَزَلَتْ: ﴿وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ﴾ كان مَنْ أرَاد أن يُفْطِر ويفْتديَ «يعني فَعَل» حتى نَزَلَتْ الآيةُ التي بَعْدَها فَنَسخَتْها

“When the Divine Revelation: {For those who can Fast, they had a choice either Fast, or feed a poor for every day} [Surah al-Baqarah (2):184] was revealed, it was permissible for one to give a ransom and give up Fasting, till the Aayah succeeding it* was revealed and abrogated this Aayah.”[2]

* Meaning: the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾

{So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhaan, i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (Fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (Fasts) must be made up] from other days.}  [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 185]

So Allaah تعالى made Fasting obligatory upon every (able) individual without any choice.

The Fasting does not become obligatory till it is confirmed that the month of Ramadhaan has started. So one should not begin Fasting before the month has started as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«لا يَتَقَدمنَّ أحَدُكم رمضانَ بصوم يومٍ أو يومينِ إلاَّ أنْ يكونَ رجلٌ كانَ يصومُ صَوْمَهُ فلْيصُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ»

“None of you should Fast a day or two before the month of Ramadhaan unless he has the habit of Fasting (Nawaafil) (and if his Fasting coincides with that day) then he can Fast that day.”[3]

And the beginning of the month can be determined by one of the two ways:

First: Sighting the crescent as per the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ﴾

{So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhaan, i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (Fasts)}

And the saying of the Prophet صلى الله علبه وسلم:

«إِذَا رأيتُمُ الهلالَ فصوموا»

“When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadhaan), start Fasting”[4]

It is not a condition that everyone has to personally see the new moon. If a trustworthy person sees it, then it becomes an obligation on all of them to Fast.

The condition for accepting the testimony of the witness who has sighted the crescent is that he should be: A Muslim, matured (adult), of sound mind, trustworthy in what he reports and having good vision. As for the small (child), then his witness – that the month has started - is not accepted because he cannot be relied upon. Similarly, the testimony of an insane person is also not accepted. As for the Kaafir, (then his witnessing of the crescent) is also not accepted as per the Hadeeth of Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما who said:

«جاءَ أَعْرابيٌ إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلّم فقال: إني رَأيتُ الهلالَ يعني رَمضانَ فقال: أتَشْهَدُ أنْ لا إِله إِلاَّ الله؟ قال: نَعَمْ. قال: أتَشْهَدْ أنَّ محمداً رسولُ الله؟ قال: نَعَمْ. قال: يا بِلالُ أذِّنْ في الناسِ فَلْيصُوموا غَدَاً»

A Bedouin came to the Prophet صلى الله علبه وسلم and said: I have sighted the moon, i.e. of Ramadhaan. He صلى الله علبه وسلم asked: “Do you testify that there is no deity worthy of being worshiped except Allaah?” He replied: Yes. He again asked: “Do you testify that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allaah?” He replied: Yes. He صلى الله علبه وسلم said: “O Bilaal! Announce to the people that they must Fast tomorrow.”[5]

And among the people whose witnessing is not accepted is a person who is known for lying, or the one who is hasty, or the one who has weak eyesight – which makes it difficult for him see properly. So the beginning of the month cannot be affirmed based on the witness of a person about whom there is doubt regarding his truthfulness, or that there is likelihood about him being a liar. 

Moreover, it will be affirmed that the month of Ramadhaan has begun even if there was only just one witness, as per the report of Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما:

«تَرَاءَى الناسُ الهلالَ فأخْبرتُ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلّم أنِّي رأيتُهُ فصامَ وأمَرَ الناسَ بصيامِهِ»

“The people gathered to sight the crescent. I informed the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم that I had seen it. He Fasted and ordered the people to Fast.”[6]

And whoever saw the crescent and he is sure about its sighting, then it is obligatory upon him to inform those in charge of it (like the authority or the moon sighting committee etc); and similarly, (the same has to be done with) the sighting of (the crescent for) the month of Shawwal (`Eid al-Fitr) and Dhul-Hijjah so that the obligations of Fasting, `Eid, and Hajj are established. That which is indispensable to fulfilling an obligation is also an obligation (i.e. a thing without which an obligation cannot be established also becomes obligatory, example: reporting the sighting is an obligation, because without it the beginning of the month of Ramadhaan cannot be affirmed). And if a person who saw the crescent lives far away, and he cannot inform the authorities (in time), then he should Fast (himself) and should look for ways to get the message across to those in charge, to the best of his ability.

And if the news has been announced by the authority – through radio or any other means – that the month has started or ended, then it becomes an obligation to act upon that news regarding the beginning or the ending of the month – in Ramadhaan or any other month. This is because the announcement made by the authorities is a Hujjah (legal proof), and it should be acted upon; like how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم informed Bilaal to announce to the people that they should Fast as the month has started, after it was confirmed to him صلى الله عليه وسلم (by that witness); and that announcement (by Bilaal) made it binding upon the people to Fast.

And if the beginning of the month has been affirmed through legal Islaamic proofs[7], then there is no point to worry about the phases of the moon[8]; because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had instructed that one should start Fasting upon sighting the crescent, and not upon its phases. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«إِذَا رَأيتُمُ الهلالَ فصُوموا وإِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوه فأفْطِروا»

“When you see the crescent (of Ramadhaan), then Fast; and you should stop fasting when you see the crescent (of Shawwaal)”[9]

He صلى الله عليه وسلم also said:

«إن شَهِدَ شاهدان مُسْلمانِ فصومُوا وأفْطُروا»

“…and if two Muslim witnesses testify, then start Fasting and (likewise) stop Fasting (at the beginning of Shawwal).”[10]

Second: The other thing which confirms the beginning of the month of Ramadhaan is that the month prior to it (i.e. Sha`baan) completes thirty days. This is because it is not possible for the lunar months to exceed thirty days or be less than twenty nine days. Sometimes it may happen that two months or three up to four months will have thirty days continuously; or  two or three up to four months will have twenty nine days continuously. But most of the time, a month or two will be of thirty days and the third month will be deficient (i.e. 29 days). So, whenever a previous month completes thirty days, so according to the Islaamic ruling, the following month has started, even if the crescent is not sighted as per the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليع وسلم:

«صُوموا لِرؤيتِهِ وأفْطروا لرؤيته فإن غُمِّي عليكُمْ الشهر فعدوا ثلاثين»

“Observe Fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (Fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).”[11]

And in the Hadeeth of al-Bukhaaree it is:

«فإن غُبَّي عليكم فأكْمِلوا عدَّة شعبانَ ثَلاثينَ»

“and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha'ban.”[12]

And in Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah it is reported on the authority of `Aaishah رضي الله عنها that she said:

«كانَ النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلّم يَتحفَّظُ من شعبانَ ما لا يَتَحَفَّظ من غيرهِ ثم يصوم لرؤيةِ رمضان فإنْ غُمَّ عليه عَدَّ ثلاثين يوماً ثم صام»

“The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليع وسلم used to count the days in Sha`baan in a manner he did not count any other month; then he Fasted when he sighted the new moon of Ramadhaan; but if the weather was cloudy, he would complete thirty days (of Sha`baan) and then Fast.”[13]

And all these Ahaadeeth confirm that no one should Fast before the crescent is sighted, and if the crescent is not seen, then one should complete the month of Sha`baan as thirty days. And no one should Fast on the thirtieth of Sha`aan whether it was cloudy or not as per the narration of `Ammaar bin Yasir رضي الله عنه that he said:

«مَنْ صَامَ اليومَ الَّذي يشكُّ فيه فقد عصى أبا القاسمِ صلى الله عليه وسلّم»

“He who keeps Fast on this day disobeys Abul-Qaasim (i.e. the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم).”[14]

O Allaah! Make us of those who follow Your guidance, and remove from us that which is a cause for our destruction and misery, and make this month for us a month full of goodness and blessing, and help us in obeying You in this month, and distance from us the path towards Your disobedience; and forgive us and our parents and all the Muslims. And Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

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[1] Saheeh al-Bukharee (7) and Saheeh Muslim (1)

[2] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4507), Saheeh Muslim (1145), Abu Dawood (2315), Tirmidhee (798), al-Nasaee (2315)

[3] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1914)

[4] Saheeh Muslim (1081). It is also reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1906) and Saheeh Muslim (1080) with slight different wordings.

[5] Sunan Abu Dawood (2340, 2341), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (691), Sunan al-Nasa’ee (2112, 2113), Sunan Ibn Maajah (1652) and graded as “Dah`eef” (weak) by Shaikh al-Albaanee and also by Ibn Katheer, as the chain of narration is Mursal (broken).

[6] Sunan Abu Dawood (2342), and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee

[7] The beginning of a month is determined by either of the two ways: 1) that the new moon has been sighted or 2) the month prior to it completes thirty days. As for using astronomical calculations to determine the beginning of a month, then we do not use or rely on them, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“We are an illiterate nation; we neither write, nor calculate. The month is like this and this, i.e., sometimes of twenty-nine days and sometimes thirty days.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1913) and Saheeh Muslim (1080)]

The Lajnah said: “The Council has studied the issue of proving the appearance of the new moon by means of calculation, and what has been narrated in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, and they have studied the comments of the scholars on this matter. They have decided unanimously that astronomical calculations carry no weight in determining the new moon with regard to Shar`ee matters, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:  “Start fasting on seeing it (the new moon of Ramadhaan), and give up fasting on seeing it (the new moon of Shawwaal).” And he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:  “Do not fast until you sight it (the moon) and do not break your fast until you sight it”, and also because of other evidence to that effect.” [Fataawa Lajnah (10/135-136)]

[8] Certain times it happens that the crescent is not sighted when the people were expecting it. Then the crescent on the next day seems bigger than it should have, and this becomes a cause of concern for the people. If the moon was not sighted and the previous month completed thirty days, then there is no cause for concern, as long as they complete Ramadhaan as twenty nine days; as a lunar month can be of thirty days and sometimes of twenty nine days but not less than that. But if people only Fasted for twenty eight days in Ramadhaan and then the crescent for Shawwaal is sighted, then people should Fast for one more day after Eid to complete twenty nine days, as explained in the following two Fataawa:

[Fataawa Lajnah (10/121-123)]

http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?languagename=en&View=Page&PageID=3512&PageNo=1&BookID=7

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa of Ibn Baaz (15/157-159)]

http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/fatawaDetails.aspx?languagename=en&BookID=14&View=Page&PageNo=1&PageID=2779

[9] Saheeh Muslim (1081). It is also reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1906) and Saheeh Muslim (1080) with slight different wordings.

[10] Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (2116) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee, and Musnad Ahmad (18895) and the wordings are his, and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami` (3811) and al-Irwaa (909). In Sunan al-Daaraqutnee (2199) the wordings are: “…till two trustworthy men testify.”

[11] Saheeh Muslim (1081)

[12] Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1909)

[13] Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah (1910), Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan (3444), Sunan al-Daaraqutnee (2149), and Sunan Abu Dawood (2325) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee

[14] Sunan Abu Dawood (2334), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (686), Sunan al-Nasaa`ee (2188), and Sunan Ibn Maajah (1645) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh Al-Albaanee