Ibn Qayyim On Fasting

The objective behind fasting is to restrain the soul from (its) desires and to prevent it from those things, which are beloved to it. And its purpose is to control the soul’s strength, so that it can be prepared to attain what is found in it (the fast) from success and joy for the soul. Through the fast, one curbs his hunger and thirst and is reminded of the condition of the hungry stomachs of needy people.

Through fasting, one narrows the passages the Devil has inside the servant (of Allaah) by narrowing the passages of food and drink. Also, it prevents the forces of the limbs from getting too accustomed to things that are harmful to it in this world and the hereafter. And each of the soul’s body limbs and energies can cease their rebelliousness (to Allaah) and be harnessed by its bridle.

So therefore, the fast is the bridle of those who fear and obey Allaah and the shield of those wage war (against desires). And it is a garden for the righteous and devoted servants of Allaah. And it is for the Lord of the worlds, over all other actions (done to please Allaah). This is since the person who fasts, in fact does nothing. He only abandons his desire and his food for the sake of the One whom he worships.

So fasting is an abandonment of those things that the soul loves and desires, preferring instead Allaah’s love and contentment. And it is a secret kept between the servant and his Lord – no one else is aware of it.

Fasting has an amazing effect in preserving one’s outer limbs and inner capacities as well as protecting the soul from being overtaken by destructive components, which can ruin and destroy it. And it has a remarkable effect in causing all the harmful things that prevent the soul from being healthy to be emptied out. So fasting guards and protects the health of the person’s heart and body limbs. And it returns the soul all that the hands of the desires has taken from it. So it is from the greatest ways of improving one’s Taqwaa, as Allaah says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you attain Taqwaa.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185]

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 11)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Eleven:
From the Encouraged Etiquettes of Fasting
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: This is the second half of the etiquettes of fasting, and it is the etiquettes which are encouraged.

Having The Suhoor

From them is having the suhoor (eating in the last part of the night before Fajr). The Prophet (SAW) ordered this by saying, “Participate in the suhoor for indeed there is blessing in it.” (Agreed upon) He (SAW) also said, “The difference between our fast and that of the People of the Book is the eating of suhoor.” (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) also recommended dates for suhoor by saying, “The best of suhoor for a believer are dates.” (Abu Dawood) The Prophet (SAW) also said, “All of suhoor is blessing, so do not leave it, even if one of just has water to drink, for indeed Allah and his Angels send their blessings on the people that eat suhoor.” (Ahmed with a strong chain)

The person making suhoor should make their intention to imitate the Prophet (SAW) so that it will become an act of worship, and they should also make their intention of eating suhoor that it will give them the power to fast for the day, so that they will be rewarded. Zayd ibn Thabit reported: “We ate suhoor with the Messenger of Allah and then got up for the prayer.” Someone asked: “What was the amount of time between the two?” He replied: “(The time it takes to recite] 50 verses.” (Bukhari) ‘Aisha (RA) relates that Billal used to make the Athan at night, so the Prophet (SAW) said, “Eat and drink until Ibn Um Maktum makes the athan for indeed he makes it once Fajr time has arrived.” (Bukhari) Delaying the fast makes fasting easier as well as it’s a protection from oversleeping Fajr. As Allah says, “and eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread.”

Hastening To Break The Fast

It is also recommended to break the fast as soon as Maghrib time enters. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The people will continue to be in good condition as long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Agreed upon) The sunnah is to break the fast with fresh dates. Anas (RA) said, “The prophet (SAW) used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also he drank a few sips of water.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhee) Once they break their fast they should make supplication for whatever they wish. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed for the fasting person once they break their fast is a du’aa that is not rejected.” (Sunnan Abi Majah)

Doing A Variety Of Good Deeds

From the actions that are recommended are increasing in reciting Qur’an, dhikr, duah, prayer, and charity. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The supplications of three persons are not rejected: the supplication of a fasting person at the time of breaking fast, of a just ruler, and of a person who is wronged. Allah causes their supplications to rise above the clouds, and gates of heaven are opened for them, and Allah says, ‘By My Majesty, I will help you, even it be after a while’.” (Ibn Hibban, Ahmed, Tirmidhee) Ibn Abbas describes that the Prophet (SAW) was the most generous of people, even more so in Ramadhan. The Prophet (SAW)) said, “Who from amongst you is fasting today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I am.” He (the Prophet (SAW)) said, “Who from amongst you has fed a miskeen (needy person) today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” He said, “Who from amongst you has followed a janazah (followed behind a funeral proceeding or gone to witness process of burial) today?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” He said, “Who from amongst you has visited a sick person?” Abu Bakr replied, “I have.” Then the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “These traits (or characteristics) are never collectively found in a person except that he will enter Paradise.” (Muslim)

Praising Allaah

The fasting person should also thank Allah for blessing them to be able to see this month. Many people could not reap the benefits of this month because they passed away before it came, or they are not performing the obligations of this month. So they should thank Allah for giving them the chance to receive forgiveness, and uplifting in status.

My brothers: You should act upon the etiquettes and manners of this month. And follow the way of the salaf. For indeed the latter part of this Ummah will not become righteous unless it acts upon what the former part of this Ummah did from obedience and leaving of the sins.

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 10)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Ten:
From the Mandatory Etiquettes of Fasting
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: Know that there are many manners that are important for the completion of the fast. There are two categories of manners for the fast with the first of them being mandatory to know and memorize and to practice. The second type is recommended to know, memorize and practice.

Praying Five Times A Day

From the mandatory manners is to maintain the obligations that Allah has prescribed for us both what we must say and what we must do. With the most important being the five daily prayers which are of the pillars of Islam, after the Shahada. So it a must to make sure the prayer is preformed with its pillars, obligations, and conditions. It should be performed at its appointed time and with the congregation. For indeed this is from piety. Not praying is from the absence of piety, and is a means for punishment as Allah (SWT) says, “But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction, Excepted, however, shall be those who repent and attain to faith and do righteous deeds: for it is they who will enter paradise and will not be wronged in any way.”

Joining The Congregational Prayer

There are some of the fasting people that neglect the congregational prayers in the masjid. Allah orders us in one verse by saying, “When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them take their position in the rear. And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed – and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms.” Allah orders us to pray in congregation at the time of fighting and fear. So in the time of safety and security, it should be even more of a priority.

Once a blind man once said to the Prophet , “O Messenger of Allah, I have no guide to lead me to the mosque (to attend the congregational prayer).” He asked the Prophet (SAW) for permission to pray in his house and the Prophet permitted him. Then, when he turned to go, the Prophet (SAW) called him and said: ‘Do you hear the call to prayer?’ The blind man said ‘yes.’ The Prophet then said: “Then respond to it [by coming to the mosque].” (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) didn’t give him a clearance to pray at home. The person who leaves the prayer has missed out on many rewards, for indeed the prayer in congregation is multiplied. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed the prayer in congregation is rewarded by seventy times more than the prayer alone.” (Saheehayn)

When someone leaves the congregational prayer they are subjected themselves to punishment as well as being similar to the hypocrites. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed the hardest prayers for the hypocrites are the ‘Isha and Fajr prayers, and if they knew what was in them in terms of reward then they would come to it even if they had to crawl, I was almost going to leave the prayer and ask someone else to lead the people, then leave with some people and take wood to those who do not come to the prayer and burn their homes with fire.” (Saheehayn)

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 9)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Nine:
The Wisdoms of Fasting
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

The sheikh discusses in length about obligatory actions and how fasting is an obligatory action.

One of the results of fasting is that it causes a person to gain Taqwah (piety). As Allah (SWT) says, “Oh you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you just as it has been prescribed upon the people before you so that you may attain piety.” Fasting is all about acting upon obedience and leaving the disobedience. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever does not leave off false speech and false conduct, Allah has no need of his leaving off food and drink.” (Bukhari) The fasting person should not curse someone back if they are cursed, as the Prophet (SAW), that they should say “I am fasting“. This is a reminder to the person cursing them, as well as a reminder to the fasting person.

From the rulings of fasting is that the heart should be busy with remembrance of Allah. Once a person spends time with their desires, then this will lead them to heedlessness. For that the Prophet (SAW) advised us to not eat too much food. As he (SAW) said, “The son of Adam cannot fill a container worse than the stomach, he should eat just enough to keep his back straight, but if they must eat more than they should leave one third for food, one third for drink, and one third for air.” (Ahmad, Nisaee, Ibn Majah) In Saheeh Muslim there is a hadeeth on the authority of Handhala, who was one of the scribes for the Prophet (SAW), where he said, “Handhala has committed hypocrisy” The Prophet (SAW) said, “And what is it?” He said, “O Messenger of Allah, when we are with you, you remind us of Hell and Heaven and it is as if we can see it with our eyes. But when we go home to our wives and kids

From the wisdom of fasting is that the fortunate person will know the amount of blessings that Allah (SWT) has favored them with, from the food, drinks, and relations with the spouse. Many people are not fortunate enough to have these blessings, so they will thank Allah (SWT) for them. This will also cause them to remember their brother who is less fortunate than them. Who will in most cases go to sleep cold and hungry, but will instead go to sleep with clothes and food. This is why you see the Prophet (SAW) the most generous and even more so in the month of Ramadhan when Jibreel would come to him and teach him the Qur’an.

From the wisdom of fasting is that it is training for controlling the soul, and the power to stop yourself. For indeed the person is inclined to evil except for whom Allah shows mercy. It also breaks down a person and makes them more humble. It will give them humility to the Creator, and kindness to the creation.

From the wisdom of fasting is that the blood becomes less flowing and more constricted when a person is hungry and thirsty. This will cause the flowing of shaytaan to be less as well, because indeed the shaytaan flows through the bloodstream of the son of Adam. As it is related in the Saheehayn by the Prophet (SAW). So it will decrease the whispers of the shaytaan, and will decrease the episodes of desire and anger. As the Prophet (SAW) said, “O youths! Whoever amongst you is able to marry, then let him do so; for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. But whoever is unable, then let him fast, because it will be a shield for him.” (Agreed upon) So fasting is a protection and suppression of the desires.

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 8)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Eight:
Categories of People in Fasting (Part 3 of 3)
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: We have talked about seven different categories of people in fasting and these are the remaining categories.

Eighth: The menstruating woman.

She is not allowed to fast as the Prophet (SAW) said, “I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you.” The women asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?” He said, “Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn’t it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?” The women replied in the affirmative. He said, “This is the deficiency in her religion.” (Agreed upon)

If a woman begins menstruation even a moment before sundown, then that fast does not count. She is to make up that fast on a different day.

If the woman becomes pure from the menstruation during the day, she cannot begin the fast for the rest of the day because fasting starts after Fajr. But should she stop eating the rest of the day? There is a difference of opinion which we spoke about when we spoke about the traveler. If the woman becomes pure during the night, even if it is an instance before Fajr, then she must fast that day. She also has to make up the days that she missed, as Allah (SWT) says, “the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later” and ‘Aisha was asked, “What is the case of the fasting woman, she makes up for the missed fast and not for the missed prayer?” She said: “When we had our periods at the time of the Messenger of Allah, we were ordered to make up the missed fasts, and we were not ordered to make up the missed prayers.” (Muslim)

Ninth: A pregnant or nursing woman who fears harm to herself or to her child.

She should not fast according to the hadeeth of Anis bin Malik (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Allah has relieved the travelers of fasting and half of the prayer, and the pregnant and the breast-feeding women of the fast.” She is to make up these days that she missed as soon as the situation allows for it.

Tenth: A person who must rescue someone else’s life.

For example, from fire, drowning, etc. If they have to eat in order to save the person’s life, then it is obligatory on them to eat and to make up the day at a later time.

An example of this is a person fighting in the way of Allah. This person may eat and make up the fast later. Regardless if they are in their own country or traveling, they break the fast wherever they meet the enemy. Because this is protection for the Muslims, and it is making the word of Allah (SWT) the highest. Abu Saeid Al-Khudri (RA) said, “We traveled with the Messenger of Allah to Makkah while we were fasting. We stopped at a place and the Messenger of Allah said: ‘You are coming close to your enemies. You will be stronger if you break the fast.‘ That was a concession and some of us fasted and some of us broke our fasts. Then we came to another place and the Prophet said: ‘In the morning you will face your enemy. Breaking the fast will give you more strength.‘ So we broke our fast, taking that as the best course of action.” (Muslim) This hadeeth shows that having strength to fight is a reason to break the fast, the Prophet (SAW) didn’t order them to break the fast at the first stop, but he ordered them at the next stop when they were close to the enemy.

Eating In Public?

Whoever from the mentioned categories that breaks their fast, it isn’t disliked for them to display that they aren’t fasting as long as the reason is an obvious reason like sickness or old age. But if the reason is something hidden like menstruation, then they should eat in private and not display that they are not fasting. This could be a reason for an ignorant person to think it is permissible for them to break the fast as well.

Making Up Missed Days:

Whoever it is upon them to make up the days, then they should make up the exact number of days they missed. If they didn’t fast the entire month then they should make up the entire month. If the month was 30 days that year, then they make up 30. If the month was 29 days, then they make up 29. It is best to make up the days as soon as the person is able to, because it is racing to do good.

It is permissible to delay making up the days until there is between them and the following Ramadhan the amount of days they have to make up. As Allah says, “the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later, Allah wants to make things easy for you and not make them hard”. From this easiness is that it is permissible to delay even if they need to make up ten days, and there is only ten days between them and the next Ramadhan.

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 7)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Seven:
Categories of People in Fasting (Part 2 of 3)
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: We spoke last time about five categories of people in fasting and the rulings concerning them, we will talk about more categories.

Sixth: The Traveler

The traveling person if they do not travel just so they don’t have to fast. If your intention to travel is just so that you don’t have to fast, then it obligatory for you to fast, and haram for you to break the fast. If on the other hand you are traveling for a reason, then you have the choice between fasting and not fasting for the duration of your travels. As Allah says, “And whoever is sick or traveling, then they may fast on different days. Allah wants to make things easy for you, and not make them hard.” In the Saheehayn on Anis bin Malik (RA) that he said, “We used to travel with the Prophet and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.” Said al Khudhri (RA) said, “We saw that whoever had the strength fasted indeed that is good, and whoever couldn’t fast ate, and indeed that is good.” (Muslim)

It is more preferred for the traveler to do whatever is easier, whether it be fasting or eating. If there isn’t a major hardship, then it is better to fast. As was reported by Abu Darda (RA), “We journeyed with the Prophet (SAW) during Ramadhan when it was an extremely hot (season). Some of us shaded ourselves with our hands, because of the extreme heat. No one was fasting among us except the Prophet and Abdullah bin Abi Rawahah. The Prophet broke his fast in consideration for his companions when he knew that the fast was getting the best of the companions and bringing on them an unnecessary hardship.” (Muslim)

In another hadith reported by Jabir Bin Abdullah (RA): “When the Prophet (SAW) journeyed to Makkah, in the year of victory, he fasted until he reached a place known as Kara’ah Al-Ghamim. He was informed that the companions who were fasting were having difficulty with the fast. So, they were waiting to see what he would do. The Prophet (SAW) then requested a goblet full with water after ‘Asr prayer and drank it while everyone was looking.” (Muslim)

If fasting becomes an extreme hardship, then it is best not to fast. In the previous hadith reported by Jabir (RA), when the Prophet broke this fast because of the difficulty of the believers, he was told that some people insisted on fasting. The Prophet (SAW) said, “they are rebels, they are rebels.” (Muslim)

In the Saheehayn on Jabir as well, he said, “During one of the Prophet’s journeys, he saw a heavy crowd around a man who was being shaded. The Prophet (SAW) inquired, `What is this?‘ They said `He is fasting.’ The Prophet (SAW), said: `It is not righteousness to fast during a journey.‘”

If the traveler feels the hardship during the day, then it is permissible to break the fast as long as they left the city. Because the Prophet (SAW) and the people all fasted until they reached a different city (Kara’ah Al-Ghamim), so when the journey became difficult, he ate, and so did the people.

If the traveler reaches his town during the day and he wasn’t fasting, then his fast will not be accepted if he started. Because, he wasn’t fasting in the beginning of the day, and fasting must be started before Fajr. But, does he have to stop eating for the rest of the day? The scholars have differed in this matter. Some have said, “It is obligatory for him to fast the rest of the day out of respect for the time (zaman).”

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 6)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Six:
Categories of People in Fasting (Part 1 of 3)
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

We have preceded in the third majlis that in the beginning the obligation of fasting was in two stages. Then the later ruling remained and the people were divided into ten categories:

First: The Muslim

The Muslim, of age, sane and able to fast, resident, free from any prevention from fasting, then fasting in its correct time in Ramadhan is obligatory for him. This is from the evidence of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and consensus of the Muslims. Allah says, “The month of Ramadhan was revealed in it the Qur’an…” and the Prophet (SAW) said, “If you see the new moon then fast” (Agreed upon) And the Muslims have agreed on the obligation for this person to fast. As for the kafir, then fasting is not obligatory for him, nor is it accepted, because he is not fit for worship. If he accepts Islam during Ramadhan, then he does not have to make up the days missed, due to the ayah “Say to the disbelievers if they stop then they will be forgiven for whatever preceded.” And if he becomes Muslim during the day in Ramadhan, he must stop eating the rest of the day, because it became obligatory on him to fast when he became Muslim, and he doesn’t have to make up the day, because it wasn’t obligatory on him to fast when the day began.

Second: The Children

A child, and it is not obligatory on them to fast until they reach puberty due to the hadeeth, “The pen is lifted from three, the sleeping person till he wakes, the child until they grow, and the insane person until he comes back to his senses.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nisai and Al-Hakim declared it Saheeh) But his guardian should order him to fast if the child is able, so that he will be used to it when he reaches puberty. The Sahaba used to make their children fast while they were young, and take them to the masjid, and have for them a toy made of wool, and if the child would cry from hunger, then they would give the child the toy to play with.

And many parents are heedless of this matter today, and they don’t order their children to fast. Rather some parents prevent their child from fasting even thought the child want to fast, thinking that they are being merciful to them. The reality is true mercy to their children is to raise them on the rites of Islam, and with a proper education. So whoever prevents them from that or is negligent, then he is an oppressor to them and to himself. But if the child fasts, and the parents see they are harmed by it, then they should prevent them.

Male Puberty

The male reaches puberty if one of the following three occurs:

1) Releasing sperm, either from a wet dream or something else, due to the ayah, “And if the children from you reach al-hulm (puberty)“, and the hadeeth, “Ghusl on Friday is wajib for every muhtalim” (Agreed upon).

2) Growth of pubic hair, from the saying of Atiya alQuraidhi, “We were presented to the Prophet on the day of Quraydha, so whoever was muhtalim or had pubic hair, was killed, and if not he was spared.” (Ahmad, Nisaee, and its Saheeh)

3) Reaching 15 years old, due to the saying of Abdullah bin Umar, “I came to the Prophet on the day of Uhud, and I was 14, and he did not allow me to fight.” Al-Bayhaqi and Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh added with an authentic chain, “and he did not think that I reached puberty, and I came to him on the day of Khandaq, and I was 15 and he allowed me to fight.” Bayhaqi and Ibn Hibban added with a Saheeh chain, “he considered me as mature.” (Narrated by the Group) Ibn Nafi’ said, “We told this hadeeth to the khalifa, Umar bin Abdil-Aziz, then he said, “this is the limit between the child and the adult.” And he told his workers to give from the wealth whoever reached 15.” (Bukhari)

Female Puberty:

And females attain puberty the same way as the male, with the addition of menstruation. So when a girl menstruates then she is mature, so she is held responsible even if she didn’t reach ten years old.

Their Ruling:

And if a child reaches puberty during the day in Ramadhan, if he is fasting already then he should continue, and if he was not fasting he should not eat the rest of the day, because he has become an adult who is obliged to fast. And he does not have to make up the day because he didn’t fulfill the condition of fasting at the beginning of the day.

Third: The Insane

An insane person, someone who has lost hid mind. Fasting is not due on him because of the hadeeth, “The pen is lifted from three…” And his fasting is not correct, because he doesn’t have the ability to comprehend the worship he is doing, or to make an intention for it, and worship is not accepted without intention. This is known from the hadeeth, “Actions are by intentions…” So if he is insane sometimes, and sometimes his senses return to him, then he only has to fast when he is sane.

Sittings In Ramadhaan With Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen (Day 3)

مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Three:
From the Rulings of Fasting Ramadhan
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen

My brothers: Indeed fasting Ramadhan is a pillar of Islam. Allah says, “Oh you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you just as it was prescribed for the people before so that you may be pious. Fasting during a certain number of days. But whoever of you is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days; and [in such cases] it is incumbent upon those who can afford it to make sacrifice by feeding a needy person. And whoever does more good than he is bound to do does good unto himself thereby; for to fast is to do good unto yourselves – if you but knew it. It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you extol God for His having guided you aright, and that you render your thanks [unto Him].”

And the Prophet (SAW) said, “Islam is built upon five things, testimony that there is no God except Allah, and that I am his messenger, the performance of prayers, the compulsory charity, the performance of the pilgrimage to the House of Allah, and fasting in the month of Ramadan”. Agreed upon. And in Muslim with fasting in the month of Ramadhan before pilgrimage. All of the Muslims have agreed on the obligation of fasting during Ramadhan. It is clearly mandatory in the religion of Islam. If someone denies that it is an obligation, then they have disbelieved and they should repent, if not then they will die a disbeliever who has apostated from Islam, not to be washed or given the kaffan or prayed upon in the janazah, or have du’aa made for them to be given mercy, or buried in a Muslim grave, instead they have to have a hole far away dug for them so that they may not harm others with their bad smell, or harm their families with their presence.

Ramadhan become obligatory in the second year of Hijrah. So the Prophet (SAW) fasted for 9 years and fasting went through two stages.

The first stage was that a person was given a choice between fasting and feeding a poor person, with fasting being more preferred.

The second stage was fasting without the choice as is stated in the Saheehayn on the authority of Salama bin Al ako’o (RA) that when the verse “For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent” was revealed, that whoever didn’t want to fast would feed a person, until the following verse abrogated the original verse by saying, “whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days.” So Allah made it obligatory without giving a choice. The fasting is not obligatory until it is certain the beginning of the month has been reached, and there is no fasting before the month begins, as the Prophet (SAW) said, “None of you should fast a day or two before Ramadan except for a man who customarily fasts. He should fast that day.” (Bukhari)

And the beginning of the month is determined in two ways.

The first way, is by seeing the new moon as Allah says, “Whoever of you lives to see this month should fast it” and the saying of the Prophet (SAW), “If you see the new moon then fast.” (Agreed upon) It is not a condition that everyone has to personally see the new moon, if someone trustworthy witnesses, then it is obligatory on everyone to fast.

The witness must have a mature brain, must be Muslim, must be trustworthy and also have good vision. As for a young person, or an insane person, then their witness is not to be taken. Also, a disbeliever is not to be taken as a witness as is related by Ibn Abbas (RA) who said:

A Bedouin came to the Prophet (SAW) and said, “Indeed I have seen the new moon for the start of Ramadhan” so the Prophet (SAW) said, “Do you bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah?” he replied “yes”, then he said, “do you bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” he replied, “yes”, then he said, ”Oh Bilal, tell the people to fast tomorrow.” (Narrated by The five except for Ahmad)

Of those not to be taken witness include, a person known as a liar, a hasty or impulsive person, a person with weak eyesight who it is impossible for them to see it. It is possible for Ramadhan to start on the witness of one person as is stated by Ibn Umar (RA), “The people saw the new moon, so I told the Prophet (SAW), and he fasted and ordered the people to fast.” (Abu Dawood and Al Hakim) and in Muslim said, “Whoever sees it, it is obligatory on them to tell those in charge of the Ummah” The start of Fasting, Eid, and Hajj are all done in the same procedure. If someone is in a far away place and they see the new moon, then they should fast and try their best to reach this news to those in charge of the Ummah. And if the news of the start of the month and end of it reaches someone before the government broadcasts it, then it is obligatory to follow the news. It is an Islamically legal proof that should be acted upon, as the Prophet (SAW) ordered Bilal to tell the people to fast as soon as he heard about the start of the month, and made it obligatory on them to fast.

Using Toothpaste While Fasting, Ibn Uthaymeen

Question:

What is the ruling of using toothpaste while fasting during Ramadaan?

Answer:

There is no problem in using toothpaste while fasting during Ramadaan or other than it as long as it is not swallowed. However not using it is better because it has a strong potency that may enter into the stomach while one is unaware and this is why the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلّم) said to Qayt ibn Sabrah:

“Excessively practice Istinshaaq (Putting water in one’s mouth and spitting it out during ablution) except if you are fasting.”

So it is better not to use toothpaste while fasting and there is plenty of time, so if one delays it until he breaks his fast, he would have protected himself from something that is feared to ruin his fast.

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen

Source

A Word On Ramadhaan, By Ibn Al-Jawzee

Some thought-provoking and heartfelt words on Ramadan by Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullah):

‘… Where are those who fast and where are those who pray by night? Where are those who obey their Lord and where are those who work righteousness? Where are those who are foremost and where are are the humble ones? Where are those who remember (their Lord) and where are those devoted to Him? Where are the truthful and where are the patient? Where are the charity-givers? Where are those who enjoin good, who save the troubled ones and who forbid the wrong? Where are those who heed contemplation and who listen to good advice and life-lessons? By Allah, they have indeed gone with the Salihin (righteous), returned with the Mu’minin (believers), settled with the Anbiya’ (Prophets) and taken residence with the Siddiqin (truthful ones). But us, we remain behind with the ignorant, have settled with the wrong-doers and have taken the heedless as our guides…

Fasting is the shield of nations, protecting from the Hellfire
And fasting is a fortress for whoever fears that fire
Fasting is a covering for all the people of goodness
Those who fear the burden of blame and sinfulness
And this month is the month of the Lord of the Throne
A Most Merciful Lord, Who conceals the heavy sins & burdens
So therein have fasted men who thus profited
Their reward lies with the Exalted and Forgiving One
And so they came to settle in Everlasting Gardens
Surrounded by maidens, and rivers and plantations…

So glad tidings to those who obey the Most Merciful King in this month of Mercy, this month of Ramadan. They bore patience over a few days, and thus long-lasting mercy and abundant blessings came after them and pursued them. Every time you do good in this month, you shall be rewarded for the rest of your life because righteousness is a habit and evilness is mere stubbornness.

Where are you O’ fasting one, who prays by night? Come forth to goodness and you shall triumph with everlasting happiness! Trade with your Lord and you shall profit, work with Him and you shall be successful, apologise and He shall accept your apology, seek His forgiveness and He shall forgive your sins, draw close to Him and He shall alleviate your suffering, ask Him from His Bounties and He shall expand your provisions, repent to Him and He shall increase your portion (in life).

O my dear brother, in this month all faults and mistakes are concealed, all souls and hearts are softened, sins and burdens are forgiven, and Allah `azza wa jall relieves every sad and troubled one. He says to His angels, ‘O My Angels, look at those dry tongues, how they become moist with My Remembrance. Look at those hard eyes, how they soften and weep out of fear of Me, and look at those delicate feet planted firmly at the stations of prayer out of desire for Me!’ O my dear brother, whenever you give food to others in this month for the Sake of Allah the Lord of the heavens and the earth, you shall be raised to high ranks in the lofty grounds of Paradise, and you will be clothed with complete goodness and stripped of all sin…’

[Ibn al-Jawzi, ‘Bustan al-Wa’idhin wa Riyadh al-Sami’in’ Pp. 185-186]