Section : The Fast of Ramadan. The fast of Ramadan, according to the Qur’an, sunnah and consensus, is obligatory. The evidence from the Qur’an consists of the following two verses: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as…
Section : The Virtues of Ramadan and the Deeds Done During It. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During…
Section : The Consequence of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet said: “The bare essence of Islam and the basics of the religion are three [acts], upon which Islam has been established. Whoever leaves one…
Section : The Arrival of Ramadan. This event is confirmed by sighting the new moon, even if it is seen by only one just person, or by the passage of thirty days in the immediately preceding month of Sha’ban. Ibn…
Section : Different Locations. According to the majority of scholars, it does not matter if the new moon has been sighted in a different location. In other words, after the new moon is seen anywhere in the world, it becomes…
Section : Sighting of the Crescent by one Person. The scholars of fiqh agree that if only one person sees the new moon, he is to fast. ‘Ata differs and says that he is not to fast until someone else…
Section : The Essential Elements of the Fast. The fast has two essential elements (literally, “pillars”) that must be fulfilled for it to be valid and acceptable. They are:
Section : Essential elements of fasting, abstaining from acts that break the fast. This point is based on the Qur’anic verse: “Eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then…
Section : Essential elements of fasting, the intention. Allah instructs in the Qur’an: “And they are ordained nothing else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him.” The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “Actions are judged according to…
Section : Essential elements of fasting, who must fast. All scholars agree that fasting is obligatory upon every sane, adult, healthy Muslim male who is not travelling at that time. As for a woman, she must not be menstruating or…
Section : Essential elements of fasting, the fast of the insane. Fasting is not obligatory for the insane because of their inability to understand what they are doing. ‘Ali reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: “The pen…
Section : Essential elements of fasting, the fast of the young [non-adults]. Though the young are not required to fast, it is proper for their guardians to encourage them to fast so they will become accustomed to it at an…
Section : Essential elements of fasting, those who are permitted to break the fast, but who must pay a “ransom” for not fasting. Elderly men and women are permitted to break their fasts, as are the chronically ill, and those…
Section : Making up the Missed Days of Fasting. It is allowed for those who are (not chronically) ill and for travellers to break their fasts during Ramadan, but they must make up the days they missed. Allah says in…
Section : Those who must make up the missed days. The scholars agree that it is obligatory for menstruating women and women with post-childbirth bleeding to break the fast and to make up the missed days later on. Al-Bukhari and…