This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
What is the ruling if someone deliberately smokes tobacco while fasting?
Answer:
His fast is broken, and making up the fast (qadha) is obligatory upon him; he should also repent and seek forgiveness.
Question:
If someone experiences nocturnal emission (ihtilam) while fasting and then eats or drinks, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Nocturnal emission does not break the fast. Whoever thinks that nocturnal emission breaks the fast and eats or drinks, he must make up the fast (qadha).
Question:
If a servant breaks his fast due to the intensity of work, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Breaking the fast due to the intensity of work is not permissible; however, if the hunger and thirst become so severe during work that there is fear of death, then he may break the fast. He must make up the fast (qadha), but expiation (kaffara) is not required.
Question:
If someone breaks the fast due to illness or travel, what is the ruling?
Answer:
Making up the fast (qadha) is obligatory; expiation (kaffara) is not required.
Question:
A woman made up the fasts of Ramadan due to a legitimate excuse; can her husband fast on her behalf?
Answer:
One cannot fast on behalf of someone else. The woman must make up her own fasts; if she cannot, then she should pay the fidya (expiation) for the fasts.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
لا يصلي أحد عن أحد ولا يصوم أحد عن أحد ولكن يطعم عنه مكان كل يوم مدا من حنطة
“No one should pray or fast on behalf of another, rather (in place of fasting) one should feed a needy person one mudd of wheat for each day.”
Reference: (Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Nasa’i: 2918, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
What is the ruling if a voluntary fast is deliberately broken?
Answer:
If a voluntary fast is deliberately broken, there is no harm. Making up (qadha) for it is not obligatory, rather it is recommended. The majority of scholars hold the view that once a voluntary act is started, it remains voluntary until completion and does not become obligatory, except for voluntary Hajj and Umrah.
One opinion is that voluntary fasts remain voluntary until they are started, but once started, completing them becomes obligatory, and if not completed, making up (qadha) is necessary.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
دخل علي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات يوم فقال هل عندكم شيء فقلنا لا قال فإني إذن صائم ثم أتانا يوما آخر فقلنا يا رسول الله أهدي لنا حيس فقال أرينيه فلقد أصبحت صائما فأكل
"The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came to me one day and asked: Is there food in the house? I replied: No. He said: Then I am fasting. Another day he came and we said: O Messenger of Allah! We have received halwa as a gift. He said: Bring it. Although he had fasted in the morning, he then ate the halwa."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1154)
❀ Hafiz Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (676 AH)
states:في الرواية الثانية التصريح بالدلالة لمذهب الشافعي وموافقيه في أن صوم النافلة يجوز قطعه والأكل في أثناء النهار ويبطل الصوم لأنه نفل فهو إلى خيرة الإنسان في الابتداء وكذا في الدوام وممن قال بهذا جماعة من الصحابة وأحمد وإسحاق وآخرون ولكنهم كلهم والشافعي معهم متفقون على استحباب إتمامه
"The second narration is the evidence of Imam Shafi'i and his followers that it is permissible to break a voluntary fast and eat something, which will invalidate the fast because it is voluntary. Just as voluntary acts are at one's discretion to begin with, similarly continuing them is also subject to one's will. This position is held by a group of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Ishaq (may Allah have mercy on them), and others. However, Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) and all consider completing it recommended."
Reference: (Sharh Nawawi: 8/35)
❀ Sayyida Juwayriyah bint Harith (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
إن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل عليها يوم الجمعة وهي صائمة فقال أصمت أمس قالت لا قال تريدين أن تصومي غدا قالت لا قال فأفطري
"On Friday, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to my house while I was fasting. He asked: Did you fast yesterday? I replied: No. He said: Do you intend to fast tomorrow? I said: No. He said: Then break your fast."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1986)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (852 AH)
states:دل على أن الشروع في العبادة لا يستلزم الإتمام إذا كانت نافلة بهذا النص في الصوم وبالقياس في الباقي فإن قيل يرد الحج قلنا لا لأنه امتاز عن غيره بلزوم المضي في فاسده فكيف في صحيحه وكذلك امتاز بلزوم الكفارة في نفله كفرضه
"This hadith is evidence that once a voluntary act of worship is started, it is not necessary to complete it. This is a clear text regarding fasts, and by analogy, it applies to other acts of worship. If someone says that the same should apply to Hajj, we say no, Hajj is an exception because even if it becomes invalid, it must be continued and not abandoned midway. Similarly, like obligatory Hajj, voluntary Hajj also requires expiation, so it is not correct to apply this analogy to other acts of worship."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 4/107)
❀ Hafiz Bayhaqi (may Allah have mercy on him) established a chapter:
باب صيام التطوع والخروج منه قبل تمامه
"Regarding voluntary fasting and breaking it before completion."
Reference: (Al-Sunan al-Kubra: 4/455)
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
آخى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بين سلمان وأبي الدرداء فزار سلمان أبا الدرداء فرأى أم الدرداء متبذلة فقال لها ما شأنك قالت أخوك أبو الدرداء ليس له حاجة في الدنيا فجاء أبو الدرداء فصنع له طعاما فقال كل قال فإني صائم قال ما أنا بآكل حتى تأكل قال فأكل فأتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فذكر ذلك له فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صدق سلمان
"The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established brotherhood between Sayyiduna Salman al-Farsi and Sayyiduna Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with them). When Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) came to visit Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him), he saw that Umm Darda (may Allah be pleased with her) was in a disheveled state. He asked: What is this? They said: Your brother Abu Darda has no concern for the world. Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) came and offered food to Salman (may Allah be pleased with him). Salman said: Eat. He said: I am fasting. Salman said: If you eat, I will eat. So Abu Darda ate. When this was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), he said: Salman was right."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1968)
❀ Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, classification:
باب من أقسم على أخيه ليفطر في التطوع ولم ير عليه قضاء إذا كان أوفق له
"If someone swears that he will break a voluntary fast, and then he breaks the fast, there is no need for making up (qadha) that fast."
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (852 AH)
, states:فيه جواز الفطر من صوم التطوع كما ترجم له المصنف وهو قول الجمهور ولم يجعلوا عليه قضاء إلا أنه يستحب له ذلك
"The translation of the chapter indicates that in this hadith, breaking a voluntary fast is permissible. This is the view of the majority, and also, making up the fast is not obligatory for the one who breaks it, although it is recommended."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 4/212)
❀ Regarding Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both:
إنه أخبر أصحابه أنه صائم ثم خرج عليهم ورأسه يقطر فقالوا أولم تك صائما قال بلى ولكني مرت جارية لي فأعجبتني فأصبتها وكانت حسنة هممت بها وأنا قاضيها يوما آخر
"He, may Allah be pleased with them both, told his companions that he was fasting, and later when he came to them, drops of water were dripping from his head. The students asked: You were fasting? He said: Yes, I was fasting, but my slave girl passed by me, I liked her, she was beautiful, so I had intercourse with her. Now I will make up this fast on another day."
Reference: (Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by al-Tahawi: 2/111, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Anas bin Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates:
إنه صام يوم عرفة فعطش عطشا شديدا فأفطر فسأل عدة من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فأمروه أن يقضي يوما مكانه
"He, may Allah have mercy on him, fasted on the Day of Arafah, but due to severe thirst, he broke the fast. Then he asked many companions about it, and they ruled that the fast must be made up."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9093, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
Is there a Qaza (making up) for deliberately breaking a mandatory fast?
Answer:
Breaking a mandatory fast deliberately without an excuse requires making up the fast (qadha), not expiation (kaffara). If one breaks the fast due to illness or travel, they will make up the fast on other days. Whoever breaks the fast deliberately will definitely make up the fast and also repent.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Darda رضي الله عنه narrates:
إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قاء فأفطر قال فلقيت ثوبان في مسجد دمشق فذكرت ذلك له فقال صدق أنا صببت له الوضوء
"(During a voluntary fast) the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ vomited, so he broke his fast. It is said: I met Thawban رضي الله عنه in the mosque of Damascus and mentioned this to him, and he said: He spoke the truth; I was the one who poured water for the Prophet ﷺ to perform ablution."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 2381, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 87, and its chain is Hasan)
This hadith has been declared authentic by Imam Ibn al-Jarood رحمه الله (8), Imam Ibn Khuzaymah رحمه الله (1956), and Imam Ibn Hibban رحمه الله (1097). Imam Hakim رحمه الله (1/426) declared it authentic according to the conditions of Imam Bukhari رحمه الله and Imam Muslim رحمه الله, and Hafiz Dhahabi رحمه الله agreed with this.
❀ Imam Ibn Mandah رحمه الله states:
إسناده متصل صحيح
"Its chain is continuous and authentic."
Reference: (Al-Talkhees al-Habeer by Ibn Hajar: 2/190)
The meaning of this hadith is that fasting is not broken by vomiting; rather, when the Prophet ﷺ vomited, he broke his fast by his own choice. Surely, this was a voluntary fast. This meaning reconciles all the evidences.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه's ruling is:
من قاء وهو صائم فليفطر
"Whoever vomits deliberately while fasting should break the fast."
Reference: (Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Nasa'i: 3118, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما states:
من استقاء وهو صائم فعليه القضاء ومن ذرعه القيء فليس عليه القضاء
"Whoever vomits deliberately while fasting must make up the fast, and whoever vomits involuntarily does not have to make up the fast."
Reference: (Muwatta Imam Malik: 1/304, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Regarding Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله:
في رجل تقيأ لم يتعمد ذلك في رمضان فقال أبي أرى أن لا يعيد صوم ذلك فقلت لأبي فإن هو تقيأ تعمد ذلك قال أرى أن يعيد الصوم ذلك اليوم وليس عليه كفارة
"If a person vomits during Ramadan fasting without doing it deliberately, in my opinion, he does not have to make up the fast (i.e., his fast remains valid). I (Abdullah ibn Ahmad) asked my honorable father: What if someone vomits deliberately? He said: In my opinion, he must make up that fast, but there is no expiation for it."
Reference: (Masail al-Imam Ahmad narrated by his son Abdullah, p. 184)
If one vomits deliberately, the obligatory fast is broken and must be made up; similarly, if one deliberately eats or drinks, the fast must also be made up.
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
اقضوا الله الذي له فإن الله أحق بالوفاء
"Fulfill the rights of Allah, for Allah has the greatest right to be fulfilled."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 7315)
Fasting is a right of Allah, and if one deliberately breaks it, they must fulfill Allah's right by making up the fast.
❀ Jabir ibn Zayd رحمه الله was asked about a person who deliberately breaks the Ramadan fast; he replied:
ليصم يوما مكانه ويصنع مع ذلك معروفا
"He should make up one fast and also do some good deed."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9775, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Saeed ibn Jubayr رحمه الله was asked about a person who deliberately breaks the Ramadan fast; he said:
يستغفر الله من ذلك ويتوب إليه ويقضي يوما مكانه
"He should repent and seek forgiveness from Allah and make up one fast."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9778, and its chain is authentic)
Warning:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
من ذرعه القيء وهو صائم فليس عليه قضاء وإن استقاء فليقض
"Whoever vomits involuntarily while fasting, there is no need to make up the fast (i.e., the fast is not broken), but whoever vomits intentionally, making up the fast is obligatory."
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad: 2/498, Sunan Abi Dawood: 2380, Sunan At-Tirmidhi: 720)
This hadith is defective. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Imam Bukhari رحمہما اللہ, among other scholars of hadith criticism, have criticized it, and it is incorrect to present it as a Marfoo' (attributed directly to the Prophet).
Question:
What is the ruling if one faints while fasting?
Answer:
If one faints while fasting, the fast remains valid.
❀ Naf'i رحمہ اللہ states:
كان ابن عمر يصوم تطوعا فيغشى عليه فلا يفطر
"Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما used to faint during voluntary fasting but did not break the fast."
Reference: (Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 8110, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Imam Al-Bayhaqi رحمہ اللہ says:
هذا يدل على أن الإغماء خلال الصوم لا يفسده
"This is evidence that if one faints during fasting, the fast is not invalidated."
Reference: (Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, under number: 8110)
