Those Who Say One Has a Choice Regarding Voluntary Fasts

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the fasting person has a choice until midday.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the fasting person has the option until midday.

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whoever intends to fast in his heart has the option until he speaks. This option remains until most of the day has passed.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when you begin the morning with the intention of fasting, you have the choice: if you wish, you may fast, and if you wish, you may not fast. However, if during the night you have made fasting obligatory upon yourself, then now it is necessary to fast.

Hazrat Abdullah says that you have the choice until you eat or drink.

Hazrat Mughira says that I asked Ibrahim whether a person has the choice regarding voluntary fasts until midday. He replied, yes.

Hazrat Mujahid says that until midday, the fasting person has a choice. When midday has passed, then the remaining part of the day is for him.

Hasan says that if a person does not begin the morning with the intention of fasting, then he has a choice regarding the fast; but if he begins the morning in a state of fasting, then he should complete the fast.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that as long as a person has not eaten anything, the fasting person has the choice until midday. If he decides to eat, then he may eat, and if he decides to fast, then he may keep the fast.

Hazrat Sha'bi says that the fasting person has a choice until midday.

Hasan says that when a person has eaten suhoor, then fasting becomes obligatory upon him. If he breaks the fast, then making up (qada) is obligatory upon him. If he merely intends to fast, then he has the choice: if he wishes, he may fast, and if he wishes, he may not fast. If someone asks him, "Are you fasting?" and he replies, "Yes," then fasting becomes obligatory upon him. However, if he says, "InshaAllah," then fasting does not become obligatory. In this case, he has the choice: if he wishes, he may fast, and if he wishes, he may not fast.

Hazrat Abu Abdur Rahman narrates that Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) thought of fasting after the sun had declined (after midday), and so he kept the fast.