This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
What is the ruling regarding the fasting of an old man?
Answer:
It is agreed upon that an old man who does not have the strength to fast should not fast, but instead feed a poor person for each fast missed.
❀ Imam Ibn Mundhir, may Allah have mercy on him, states:
أجمعوا على أن للشيخ الكبير والعجوز العاجزين عن الصوم أن يفطرا
"The consensus of the scholars is that an old man and an old woman who do not have the ability to fast should leave fasting."
Reference: (الإجماع: 129، الإشراف: 3/152)
❀ Our master Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, says:
ليست بمنسوخة هو الشيخ الكبير والمرأة الكبيرة لا يستطيعان أن يصوما فيطعمان مكان كل يوم مسكينا
"Surah Al-Baqarah
Reference: (184)
is not abrogated; it refers to the old man and old woman who do not have the strength to fast, so they should feed a poor person for each fast missed."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4505)
Our master Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, when he became old and lost the strength to fast, did not fast but fed others instead.
Reference: (Tafsir Abdul Razzaq: 184, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Regarding Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him:
"When he, may Allah be pleased with him, became unable to fast for a year, he prepared a tub of thread and fed thirty poor people well."
Reference: (Ahadith Ismail: 112, Sunan ad-Daraqutni: 2390, and the wording is authentic)
❀ Allama Kasani Hanafi, may Allah have mercy on him, has narrated the consensus of the Companions on this matter.
Reference: (Bada'i' as-Sana'i': 2/97)
Question:
Can a pregnant woman make up missed fasts?
Answer:
A pregnant woman can both make up missed fasts and pay fidya (expiation).
Question:
If the breastfeeding period is not completed and then she becomes pregnant again, can the woman pay fidya continuously for two years?
Answer:
Yes.
Question:
If someone has asthma and cannot fast, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Generally, this disease is chronic, so he should pay fidya for the fasts.
Question:
How much is the fidya for a fast?
Answer:
Feeding one average meal to a poor person.
Question:
Can the price of food be paid as fidya?
Answer:
Yes. That amount should be given to a poor person.
Question:
If someone could not fast due to severe illness and died during that time, what is the ruling on the missed fasts?
Answer:
Fasts missed due to illness are forgiven. There is no qadha (make-up) or fidya upon the heirs; however, if the fasts were vowed (nazar), then the legal guardian or heir of the deceased will fulfill the vow on their behalf.
Question:
If someone breaks the fast due to pain, what is the ruling?
Answer:
It requires making up (Qaza).
Question:
If a traveler pays fidya for missed fasts but does not make up the fasts, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Making up the fasts is necessary; the obligation is not fulfilled by fidya.
Question:
Should a breastfeeding woman fast or not?
Answer:
She has the choice; she may fast, or she may skip and later make up the fasts or pay fidya.
Question:
What should a person do if they cannot fast due to a severe illness and there is no hope of recovery?
Answer:
They should pay fidya for the fasts.
Question:
If a sick person fasts despite difficulty, will they receive the reward for fasting?
Answer:
Certainly, they will receive the reward.
Question:
If a person is fasting and due to extreme thirst is on the verge of death, is it permissible for them to break the fast?
Answer:
If the thirst becomes so intense that it is difficult to endure, they should break the fast; making up the fast is obligatory.
Question:
Is it permissible to break the fast in a mosque?
Answer:
Breaking the fast is a good deed and is permissible in the mosque as well.
Question:
If the journey is for one day, can the fast be broken?
Answer:
Even if the journey is for half a day, the fast can be broken.
Question:
What should an old chronically ill person do in Ramadan?
Answer:
For each fast missed, feed an average meal to one poor person.
Question:
What should an old diabetic patient do in Ramadan?
Answer:
For each fast missed, feed one poor person.
Question:
If a traveler is uncertain whether he will return today or tomorrow, and more than nineteen days pass in this uncertainty, can such a traveler make up the fast along with shortening the prayer?
Answer:
A traveler who is uncertain about his return can make up the fast, even if the entire month passes in uncertainty.
Question:
If there is severe thirst, can the fast be broken?
Answer:
If the thirst is so severe that there is fear of death or loss of sanity, such a person can break the fast and make it up later.
Question:
If a person becomes ill from fasting, can he pay fidya (compensation) for the fasts?
Answer:
A person who becomes ill from fasting and also becomes ill if they make up the fasts on other days can pay fidya (compensation) for the fasts.
Question:
If a sick person is instructed by an expert physician to definitely take medicine at noon, can that sick person break the fast?
Answer:
If taking medicine is truly necessary, then they can break the fast, and they must make up the fast later.
Question:
What should a person do if they cannot fast a vowed fast due to fear of illness?
Answer:
If a person cannot fast a vowed fast due to fear of illness, they should make up that fast on another day. If fasting on another day also poses a risk of illness, they can pay fidya for the fast.
Question:
If someone did not complete the vowed fasts and passed away, what is the ruling?
Answer:
If someone dies without observing the vowed fasts, then the guardian or heir of the deceased will fast on their behalf.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليه
“If someone had vowed fasts and then died, his guardian will fast on his behalf.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1952, Sahih Muslim: 1147)
Question:
If menstruation starts during Ramadan, what should one do?
Answer:
A woman will not fast on the days she is menstruating and will make up those fasts after Ramadan. She cannot fast during menstruation.
❀ 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):
“It was asked: A menstruating woman makes up the fasts, so why does she not make up the prayers? He said: Are you a Haruriyyah? It was said: No, I am not a Haruriyyah, I am only asking. He said: If we were in menstruation, 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)
Reference: (463 AH)
states:“The consensus of the Muslim Ummah is that a woman cannot fast during menstruation, rather she will 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: (At-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 fasting, she will make up that fast and the remaining fasts that were missed.
Question:
If a woman starts menstruating during the fast, can she eat and drink until the evening on that day or not?
Answer:
If menstruation begins during the fast, the woman's fast is broken, and she can eat and drink immediately; there is no need to refrain from eating and drinking until the evening. However, she must make up that fast after she becomes pure.
Question:
A person suffers from hemorrhoids, and when he fasts, severe bleeding and intense pain occur. What is the ruling for him?
Answer:
Such a person may skip fasting during Ramadan and make up those fasts later when the condition improves. If there is no hope of recovery by the next Ramadan, then he should pay fidya (compensation) for those missed fasts.
Question:
Can an old man who is blind pay fidya for prayers like he does for fasts in the same year?
Answer:
Fidya is only for fasts, not for prayers. Prayers must be performed without fail. If he cannot stand to pray, he should pray sitting; if he cannot sit, then lying down; otherwise, he should pray by gestures if necessary, but he must pray.
Question:
How should a person who is always traveling make up the fasts of Ramadan?
Answer:
A person who stays traveling throughout the year should make up the fasts of Ramadan in the winter season, when the days are shorter and the weather is bearable. If this is not possible, they may pay fidya (compensation) for the fasts.
Question:
If one or two drops of tears enter the mouth of a fasting person, what is the ruling on the fast?
Answer:
The fast remains valid.
Question:
If during fasting, one kisses and embraces their spouse and ejaculation occurs, what is the ruling?
Answer:
In this case, the fast is not broken.
Question:
If a fasting person opens their mouth and something enters and goes down the throat, what is the ruling on the fast?
Answer:
The fast remains valid.
Question:
Does a woman experiencing istihadha (non-menstrual bleeding) perform prayer and fast?
Answer:
A woman with istihadha refrains from prayer, fasting, Quran recitation, and intercourse during the days of menstruation. However, after menstruation ends, ghusl (ritual bath) is necessary. After ghusl, her rulings are like those of normal women for the remaining days.
Question:
Will a woman with istihada perform prayer and fast?
Answer:
Istihaza is a condition; it does not make a woman impure. Rather, a woman suffering from this condition remains pure, and she should perform prayers and fasts. Sexual intercourse is also permissible. If the bleeding continues constantly, she should refrain from prayers and fasting during the days of menstruation, and after that, she should perform ghusl and continue with prayers and fasting.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
جاءت فاطمة بنت أبي حبيش إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت يا رسول الله إني امرأة أستحاض فلا أطهر أفأدع الصلاة فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا إنما ذلك عرق وليس بحيض فإذا أقبلت حيضتك فدعي الصلاة وإذا أدبرت فاغسلي عنك الدم ثم صلي
"Sayyida Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh (may Allah be pleased with her) said: O Messenger of Allah! I am suffering from istihaza, I cannot remain pure. Can I leave the prayer? He said: This is the blood of a vein. (In the case of istihaza) leave the prayers during the days of menstruation, and when menstruation ends, wash the blood and perform the prayers."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 228, Sahih Muslim: 333)
❀ Sahih al-Bukhari
Reference: (325)
states:إن فاطمة بنت أبي حبيش سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قالت إني أستحاض فلا أطهر أفأدع الصلاة فقال لا إن ذلك عرق ولكن دعي الصلاة قدر الأيام التي كنت تحيضين فيها ثم اغتسلي وصلي
"Sayyida Fatimah bint Abi Hubaysh (may Allah be pleased with her) said: O Messenger of Allah! I have istihaza, I cannot remain pure. Can I leave the prayer? He said: This is not menstruation but the blood of a vein. You should refrain from prayer for as many days as you used to during menstruation, then perform ghusl and pray."
Benefit
❀ Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar
Reference: (1/162, and its chain is Hasan)
states:لكنه عرق فتقة إبليس فإذا أدبرت الحيضة فاغتسلي وصلي وإذا أقبلت فاتركي لها الصلاة
"This is a vein that Iblis tears apart. When menstruation ends, perform ghusl and offer prayer, and when menstruation begins, refrain from prayer."
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
إن أم حبيبة سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الدم فقالت عائشة رأيت مركنها ملآن دما فقال لها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم امكثي قدر ما كانت تحبسك حيضتك ثم اغتسلي وصلي
"Sayyida Umm Habiba bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about istihadah (non-menstrual bleeding). Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: I saw her vessel for ghusl. It was filled with blood. He said: Remain stopped from prayer as long as your menstruation (known duration) restrains you, then perform ghusl and offer prayer."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 334)
❀ Hafiz Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (676 AH)
states:أما الصلاة والصيام والاعتكاف وقراءة القرآن ومس المصحف وحمله وسجود التلاوة وسجود الشكر ووجوب العبادات عليها فهي في كل ذلك كالطاهرة وهذا مجمع عليه
"The ruling for istihadah in obligatory acts such as prayer, fasting, i'tikaf, recitation of the Qur'an, touching and lifting the Mushaf, prostration of recitation, prostration of gratitude, and obligatory acts of worship is like that of a pure woman; there is consensus on this."
Reference: (Sharh Muslim: 4/17)
❀ Allama Ibn al-Attar (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (724 AH)
also narrated consensus on this.
Reference: (Al-'Iddah fi Sharh al-'Umdah: 1/264)
Question:
What is the ruling if one loses consciousness while fasting?
Answer:
Unconsciousness does not break the fast.
Question:
Does the fast break if phlegm comes out?
Answer:
Phlegm does not break the fast.
Question:
What is the ruling if one swallows phlegm while fasting?
Answer:
Swallowing phlegm does not break the fast.
Question:
What is the ruling if a person is able to fast but still does not fast and pays fidya?
Answer:
If a person does not fast despite being able to and pays fidya, the obligation is not fulfilled by paying fidya; this person is sinful until they make up those missed fasts and repent.
Question:
Is a farmer allowed to break the fast in extreme heat or not?
Answer:
A farmer or laborer cannot break the fast; however, they may adjust the order and timing of their work according to the weather.
