Grave Sin of Deliberately Missing Fasts in Ramadan

❖ 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.