This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
What is the reality of breaking the fast celebration?
Answer:
In some regions, there is a custom of celebrating the breaking of the fast, which is that when a child fasts for the first time, at the time of Iftar, garlands are placed around his neck, large pots of food are cooked and distributed among people, and Iftar is sent to mosques. This is called the celebration of breaking the fast.
Such customs have no connection with Islam. It is an affectation that has been introduced into Islam, and strict vigilance should be exercised so that this custom does not become widespread among people.
Question:
Is a person who dies in the month of Ramadan safe from the punishment of the grave?
Answer:
There is no authentic narration regarding this.
Question:
If a person is fasting and then menstruation begins, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Breaking the fast is necessary because fasting during menstruation is not permissible. It is obligatory to make up for all the missed fasts of Ramadan due to menstruation by the next year.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
أليس إذا حاضت لم تصل ولم تصم
“Is it not so that a menstruating woman neither prays nor fasts?”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 304, Sahih Muslim: 79)
❀ Mu'adhah (may Allah have mercy on her) narrates her questions and answers with Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
ما بال الحائض تقضي الصوم ولا تقضي الصلاة فقالت أحرورية أنت قلت لست بحرورية ولكني أسأل قالت كان يصيبنا ذلك فنؤمر بقضاء الصوم ولا نؤمر بقضاء الصلاة
“She asked: A menstruating woman makes up the fasts, but why does she not make up the prayers? He said: Are you from the Hururiyyah? She said: No, I am not from the Hururiyyah, I am only asking. He said: When we used to menstruate, we were commanded to make up the fasts, but not the prayers.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 321, Sahih Muslim: 335)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
هذا إجماع أن الحائض لا تصوم في أيام حيضتها وتقضي الصوم ولا تقضي الصلاة لا خلاف في شيء من ذلك والحمد لله
“There is consensus that a woman cannot fast during menstruation, but she must make up the fasts later; however, there is no making up of prayers. Praise be to Allah! There is no difference of opinion on this.”
Reference: (Al-Tamhid li Ma fi al-Muwatta min al-Ma'ani wal-Asanid: 22/107)
A menstruating woman will not fast; this is the unanimous issue among Muslims. However, if menstruation occurs during a fast, she must make up that fast and any other missed fasts.
Question:
A woman's menstruation has ended, but she has not yet performed the ghusl (ritual bath). Can she fast before performing ghusl?
Answer:
She can fast because her menstruation has ended and she has attained purity; however, ghusl is necessary for prayer and similar acts.
Question:
When does fasting become obligatory on a boy or girl?
Answer:
When any sign of puberty appears or when they reach fifteen years of age.
❀ Imam Ibn Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (319 AH)
, says: الاحتلام والإنبات واستكمال خمس عشرة سنة حد للبلوغ الذي يجب على الرجال والنساء بوجود أي واحدة من هذه الخصال كان موجودة الفرائض والحدود وفي المرأة خصلة رابعة تجب بوجودها فيها عليها الفرائض وهي الحيض وقد أجمع أهل العلم على أن بوجود الحيض في المرأة تجب الفرائض
“Ejaculation, growth of hair under the navel, and the age of fifteen are signs of puberty for both males and females; whichever of these signs appears will make obligations and limits obligatory. However, the fourth sign for a woman is menstruation. There is consensus among scholars that when a woman experiences menstruation, it becomes obligatory for her to perform the religious duties.”
Reference: (Al-Awsat fi al-Sunan wal-Ijma wal-Ikhtilaf: 4/388)
Question:
If a pregnant woman experiences bleeding one or two days before childbirth, should she continue to pray and fast during this time?
Answer:
This is corrupted blood; the woman remains pure and should continue to pray and fast.
