❖ Ruling on Deliberately Abandoning the Fast in Light of Qur’an and Hadith ❖
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
✦ The Grave Warning for Deliberately Breaking the Fast
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, and intentionally abandoning it without a valid excuse is a major sin. Severe warnings are mentioned in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah for such an act.
✿ According to the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ﴾
(Sūrat al-Baqarah: 185)
Translation:
“So whoever among you witnesses the month must fast during it…”
➡️ This verse establishes the obligation of fasting in Ramadan, and deliberately abandoning it is an act of disobedience to Allah’s command.
✿ According to the Hadith
① Severe Warning for Fasting Without Excuse
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“مَنْ أَفْطَرَ يَوْمًا مِنْ رَمَضَانَ مِنْ غَيْرِ رُخْصَةٍ وَلَا مَرَضٍ، لَمْ يَقْضِهِ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ وَإِنْ صَامَهُ“
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 723, Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 2338, Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1672)
Translation:
“Whoever breaks one day of Ramadan without a valid excuse or illness, even if he fasted for the rest of his life, it would not compensate for it.”
➡️ This Hadith clarifies that deliberately skipping a fast is a major sin, and making up for it is extremely difficult.
② Warning of Punishment in Hell
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“رَأَيْتُ قَوْمًا تُرْضَخُ رُءُوسُهُمْ بِٱلصَّخْرِ، كُلَّمَا رُضِخَتْ عَادَتْ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا جِبْرِيلُ، مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالَ: ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُفْطِرُونَ قَبْلَ تَحِلَّةِ صَوْمِهِمْ“
(Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Khuzaymah: 1986)
Translation:
“I saw people whose heads were being crushed with stones, and every time they were smashed, they returned to their previous state. I asked: O Jibrīl, who are these people?
He replied: These are the ones who used to break their fast before it was permissible (i.e., they would not fast at all).”
➡️ This Hadith signifies that those who neglect fasting without excuse will face harsh punishment in the Hereafter.
✿ Statements of the Companions and Pious Predecessors
① ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه said:
“مَنْ تَرَكَ صَوْمَ رَمَضَانَ مُتَعَمِّدًا، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يُجْزِيهِ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ“
(Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq: 7472)
Translation:
“Whoever deliberately leaves a fast of Ramadan, even fasting for his entire life would not make up for it.”
➡️ This statement underscores the great importance of Ramadan fasting and the irreplaceability of a missed fast.
② Fatwā of Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله:
“تَارِكُ صَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَاسِقٌ، فَإِنْ جَحَدَ وُجُوبَهُ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ“
(Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā: 25/265)
Translation:
“One who deliberately leaves fasting in Ramadan is a fāsiq (open sinner), and if he denies its obligation, he becomes a disbeliever.”
➡️ Denying the obligation of fasting removes a person from the fold of Islam.
✦ Ruling on One Who Intentionally Abandons the Fast
➊ If One Leaves the Fast and Then Repents:
- He must make up for the missed fasts.
- Sincere repentance is required; otherwise, he will face severe punishment.
➋ If One Denies the Obligation of Fasting:
- He becomes a disbeliever (kāfir).
- Such a person must accept Islam anew by declaring the Shahādah.
➌ If One Misses the Fast Out of Laziness:
- It is a major sin, though not disbelief.
- Requires genuine repentance and making up the missed fast.
✅ Summary & Conclusion
- Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory, and intentionally abandoning it is a major sin.
- Severe punishment is warned in the Sunnah for such people.
- Making up missed fasts (qaḍāʾ) is necessary.
- Sincere repentance is essential for forgiveness.
- Denying the obligation of fasting is an act of disbelief (kufr).
- Neglect due to laziness does not amount to disbelief, but it is a grave sin and requires repentance.
📌 Every Muslim must honor the sanctity of Ramadan and observe fasting diligently, recognizing it as one of the pillars of Islam.
