This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
If the obligatory fasts are still to be made up, is it permissible to observe voluntary fasts?
Answer:
Even if the obligatory fasts are still to be made up, voluntary fasts can be observed.
Question:
Does observing make-up fasts in winter reduce the reward?
Answer:
No.
Question:
What is the ruling on the fasts of a person who does not pray?
Answer:
Prayer and fasting have separate rulings. If a person who does not pray fasts, his obligatory fasts will be fulfilled, but he will be sinful for neglecting prayer.
Question:
After Ramadan fasts, which fasts are the most virtuous?
Answer:
After obligatory fasts, the most virtuous fasts are those of Muharram.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة الليل
"The best fasts after Ramadan are those of Muharram, and the best prayers after the obligatory ones are the Tahajjud prayers."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 1163/202)
Question:
Do disbelievers suffer punishment during Ramadan or not?
Answer:
Disbelievers are also punished in Ramadan; there is no evidence that the punishment for disbelievers is suspended during Ramadan.
Question:
What is the ruling on someone who openly eats during the days of Ramadan?
Answer:
A Muslim who does not fast during the days of Ramadan without a valid Islamic excuse and openly eats is committing a public sin. The Shariah has not prescribed a specific punishment for this, but the ruler of the time may impose a discretionary punishment.
Question:
What is the ruling on someone who openly eats and lies during Ramadan?
Answer:
Such a person is openly sinful and wicked; he can be prevented through discretionary punishment.
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
كل أمتي معافى إلا المجاهرين
"Except for those who openly commit sins, my entire Ummah will be forgiven."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 6069, Sahih Muslim: 2990)
Question:
What should a person who cannot fast due to a permanent excuse do?
Answer:
He should pay fidya (compensation). For each missed fast, he should feed one poor person.
Question:
If water reaches the brain while fasting, what is the ruling on the fast?
Answer:
The fast remains valid.
Question:
What is the ruling on eating and drinking in front of those who are fasting?
Answer:
There is no prohibition according to Shariah.
Question:
While fasting, should one rinse the mouth or gargle during ablution?
Answer:
Put water in the mouth in such a way that there is no fear of water entering inside.
Question:
What is the status of the hadith: "Fast, and you will become healthy"?
Answer:
This hadith is found in Mu'jam Awsat of Tabarani
Reference: (8312)
and others. Its chain of narration is very weak.➊ Suhail bin Abi Salih is a mixed narrator; it has not been established that Zuhair narrated from him before mixing.
➋ Narration from Zuhair bin Muhammad from the people of Sham is weak. Muhammad bin Suleiman is also from Sham, so the narration is weak.
Scholars have declared this narration weak.
Question:
If someone dies due to the severity of fasting, what is the ruling?
Answer:
If a fasting person is patient, does not break the fast, and dies, he will be rewarded and will not be sinful.
Question:
If a person dies due to the hardship of fasting, will his funeral prayer be performed?
Answer:
Certainly, it will be performed.
Question:
If a person prevents others from prayer, fasting, and forbids Hajj and recitation, should their funeral prayer be performed?
Answer:
A person who forbids prayer, fasting, Hajj, and recitation is an enemy of Islam and this is an act of disbelief. If such a person does not repent, they are an apostate. Their funeral prayer will not be performed, nor will they be given the Islamic ritual washing and shrouding like Muslims.
Question:
If a person says that fasting is for the hungry, and those whose homes have no grain, we do not fast because our homes have plenty of grain. Is this disbelief?
Answer:
This is a statement of disbelief. If such a person does not repent, they are an apostate, because they consider themselves exempt from the obligation of fasting.
Question:
If a Sayyid descendant says, "I do not need prayer or fasting," what is the ruling?
Answer:
This is a statement of disbelief because it contradicts the proof of faith. If such a person does not repent, they are an apostate and must be executed, which is the responsibility of the Islamic state to enforce.
Question:
What is the ruling regarding fasting for a woman who is breastfeeding?
Answer:
A breastfeeding woman is permitted to break her fast. Later, she may fast or pay its fidya (compensation).
