“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185)
Fasting is considered a major spiritual and educational school, and it is the fourth of the five pillars of Islam upon which this great religion is built. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food and drink; rather, it is a profound act of worship aimed at achieving “Taqwa” (God-consciousness), as Allah Almighty said: {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous} [Al-Baqarah: 183]. In this article, we review the jurisprudence (Fiqh) of fasting in detail, based on the authentic Hadiths established from the Prophet ﷺ.
First: The Virtues of Fasting and Its Status in the Sunnah
Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon those who fast virtues that He has not granted to others, including:
- The Gate of Ar-Rayyan: On the authority of Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said: “In Paradise there is a gate called Al-Rayyan, through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter through it…” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
- The Breath of the Fasting Person: The Prophet ﷺ said: “By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari).
- Forgiveness of Sins: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Second: Conditions for the Obligation of Fasting
Fasting is only obligatory for those who meet certain conditions:
- Islam: It is not accepted from a non-believer.
- Puberty: It is not obligatory for a child, but they should be encouraged to practice it.
- Sanity: It is not obligatory for the mentally ill.
- Ability: It is not obligatory for the sick person who would be harmed by fasting.
- Residence: It is not obligatory for the traveler (though it is valid if they choose to fast).
- Absence of Impediments: This is specific to women (menstruation and postnatal bleeding).
Third: The Pillars of Fasting and Its Legal Reality
Fasting has two basic pillars without which it is invalid:
- Intention (Niyyah): This is the heart’s resolve to fast to draw closer to Allah. It must be made at night for obligatory fasting before the break of dawn, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not resolve to fast before dawn, there is no fast for him” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi). As for voluntary fasting, the intention can be made during the day as long as one has not eaten or drunk.
- Abstinence (Imsak): Abstaining from all “nullifiers” of fasting from the break of the second dawn (the true dawn) until sunset, as Allah says: {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]} [Al-Baqarah: 187].
Fourth: Sunnahs and Prophetic Etiquettes of Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ was keen to teach us etiquettes that elevate the spiritual value of fasting:
- Suhoor (Pre-dawn meal): Eating in the last part of the night. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Take Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing” (Agreed upon). It is Sunnah to delay it.
- Hastening Iftar (Breaking the fast): It is recommended to break the fast as soon as sunset is confirmed. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast” (Agreed upon).
- Supplication at Iftar: When the Prophet ﷺ broke his fast, he would say: “The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).
- Guarding the Tongue: True fasting involves the limbs. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Perhaps a fasting person gains nothing from his fast but hunger” (Narrated by Ibn Majah).
- Generosity and Reciting the Quran: The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was most generous in Ramadan when Gabriel met him to study the Quran.
Fifth: Nullifiers of Fasting (Mufattirat)
The things that invalidate fasting are divided into types, the most important of which are:
- Eating and Drinking Intentionally: As for one who eats or drinks forgetfully, there is nothing upon them and their fast is valid, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever forgets while fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink” (Agreed upon).
- Sexual Intercourse: This is the greatest sin during the day in Ramadan. It requires making up the day and an “Expiation” (freeing a slave, if not possible then fasting two consecutive months, if not possible then feeding sixty poor people).
- Induced Vomiting: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the day, but whoever vomits intentionally must make it up” (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi).
- Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding: Even if it occurs in the last moments before sunset, it invalidates the fast and it must be made up.
Things that do NOT invalidate fasting:
(Eye drops, ear drops, asthma inhalers when necessary, non-nutritional injections, tasting food for need without swallowing it, tooth extraction while being careful not to swallow blood).
Sixth: Excuses Permitting Breaking the Fast and Rulings on Making it Up
Out of Allah’s mercy, He has permitted breaking the fast for certain groups:
- The Sick: For whom fasting is difficult or delays recovery.
- The Traveler: On a journey where prayers are shortened, whether they find hardship or not.
- Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: If they fear for themselves or their children, they must make it up.
- The Elderly and the Chronically Ill: The elderly or the person with an incurable illness do not have to fast or make it up. Instead, they must pay “Fidya” (feeding a poor person for each day), as Allah says: {And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person} [Al-Baqarah: 184].
Seventh: Voluntary Fasting (Nafil)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged fasting on specific days other than Ramadan to increase reward:
- Six Days of Shawwal: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime” (Narrated by Muslim).
- Day of Arafah: It expiates the sins of the past and coming year for those not performing Hajj.
- Ashura: It expiates the sins of the past year.
- Mondays and Thursdays: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, and I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting” (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi).
- The White Days: (The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month).
Eighth: Laylat al-Qadr and Itikaf
In the last ten days of Ramadan, worship increases in search of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), which is better than a thousand months. When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet ﷺ “would stay up at night, wake his family, and tighten his waist-belt (exert himself in worship)” (Agreed upon). Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque) is a confirmed Sunnah in these ten days to cut off distractions and devote oneself to the obedience of Allah.
Experience our unique approach first-hand. Book your free free trial sessions now with no strings attached.