Beginning the fast in a state of janabah: in light of the Quran and Hadith
Many people hold the misconception that it is not permissible to begin a fast in a state of janabah, and that performing ghusl beforehand is obligatory, failing which the fast will not be accepted. In this research, the matter is examined in detail in light of the Quran, Hadith, the statements of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and the consensus of the jurists.
In light of the Quran
Allah the Exalted said regarding janabah:
“وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا”
Translation:
“And if you are junub, then purify yourselves.”
This verse explains the obligation of ghusl for prayer, but it contains no prohibition regarding fasting. If fasting in a state of janabah were forbidden, the Quran would contain a clear ruling on it, just as women are prohibited from fasting during menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
In light of Hadith: the practice of the Prophet ﷺ
(1) The Prophet ﷺ fasting while in a state of janabah
Hadrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and Hadrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) say:
“أن رسول الله ﷺ كان يُدركه الفجر وهو جنب من أهله، ثم يغتسل ويصوم.”
Translation:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ (sometimes) would be in a state of janabah from his wife at the time of Fajr, then he would perform ghusl and fast.”
This hadith is clear evidence that fasting in a state of janabah is permissible, and that performing ghusl before Fajr is not necessary.
(2) Hadrat Abu Hurairah’s initial fatwa and its correction
Hadrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) initially issued the fatwa that the fast of one who is junub is not valid, but when he received the hadith of Hadrat Aisha and Hadrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them), he withdrew his opinion.
Hadrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
“ثم لقيتُ عبدَ الرحمنِ بنَ الحارثِ، فذكرتُ له ذلك، فقال: سَلتُ أُمَّ سلمة، فقالت: كان النبي ﷺ يصبح جنبًا من جماع غير احتلام ثم يصوم، قال: فرجعتُ إلى موقفي، فسألتُ عائشة، فقالت مثل ما قالت أم سلمة، ثم رجعتُ فأخبرتُ من سألني، فقلت لهم: اسمعوا هذا وأخبرهم بما قالته عائشةُ وأمُّ سلمةَ.”
Translation:
“Then I met Abdur Rahman bin al-Harith and mentioned that matter to him. He said: I asked Umm Salamah, and she said that the Prophet ﷺ would sometimes fast while in a state of janabah. Then I returned and asked Aisha, and she gave the same answer as Umm Salamah had given. Then I corrected my earlier statement and informed the people that what I had said before was wrong.”
This hadith is proof that Hadrat Abu Hurairah initially issued an incorrect fatwa, but later changed his opinion.
Statements of the Companions and consensus
(1) The statement of Hadrat Aisha and Hadrat Umm Salamah
◈ As stated above, these two Mothers of the Believers clearly reported that the Prophet ﷺ would be in a state of janabah at the time of Fajr, then perform ghusl and fast.
(2) The fatwa of Hadrat Ibn Abbas
When Hadrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked whether one may fast in a state of janabah, he said:
“نعم، لأن النبي ﷺ كان يفعل ذلك.”
Translation:
“Yes, because the Prophet ﷺ used to do so.”
(3) The fatwa of Hadrat Ali
◈ Hadrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) also issued the same fatwa: that one who is junub may fast and may perform ghusl after Fajr.
The consensus of the jurists
All the juristic schools are agreed on this matter:
If a person is in a state of janabah at the time of Fajr, he may fast, and he will perform ghusl afterwards.
(1) Imam al-Nawawi (a Shafi’i jurist) writes:
“أجمعت الأمة على صحة صوم من أصبح جنبًا.”
Translation:
“The Ummah is agreed that the fast of one who begins the morning in a state of janabah is valid.”
(2) Imam Ibn Qudamah (a Hanbali jurist) says:
“لا فرق في هذا بين الرجل والمرأة، وهو مذهب الأئمة الأربعة.”
Translation:
“There is no difference between men and women in this matter, and this is the position of the four Imams.”
Summary and conclusion
A person in a state of janabah (man or woman) may fast, even if they have not been able to perform ghusl.
The Prophet ﷺ’s own practice is evidence for this.
Hadrat Aisha, Hadrat Umm Salamah, Hadrat Ibn Abbas and Hadrat Ali issued this same fatwa.
Imam al-Nawawi, Imam Ibn Qudamah and the four juristic schools are agreed that the fast will be valid.
Hadrat Abu Hurairah initially issued an incorrect fatwa, but later changed his opinion.
Therefore, one who is in a state of janabah at the time of Fajr may fast and may perform ghusl afterwards.
May Allah grant us the understanding of the religion and the ability to act upon it, Ameen!
