The Rulings of Ramadan: A Comprehensive Guideline

4. RULINGS RELATED TO THE FAST OF RAMADAAN

Important Issues Dealing with the Month of Ramadhaan

The muslims must know that all the blessings for this noble month would never be achieved unless we understand its ruling from Allaah Azzawajall and the Messenger (S) and implement its ruling as it was practised by the Messenger (S) and the Righteous Salaf (Pious Predecessors). So in our explanation of the rulings we will try to restrict ourselves as much as possible to the two sources of Islaam, that is the Qur'aan and the Sunnah based upon the understanding of the first three generations of muslims and those who follow them. And may Allaah help us in doing justice to His Deen.

Counting the Days of the month of Sha'baan

It is imperative on the general body of muslims to take special care in counting the days of the month of Sha'baan in preparation for the month of Ramadhaan. This was the practise of the Messenger (S). This is of great importance because the Islamic Month consists of twenty-nine or thirty days. The month starts with the sighting of the crescent which indicates its beginning. If however it is so cloudy that the crescent cannot be seen, then the thirtieth day of Sha'baan is completed and the new month (Ramadhaan) begins from the following day.

Allaah has set up the moon for mankind as a means of keeping record of months and years. Based on this, therefore, the Islamic month does not exceed thirty days. This is also established in the Sunnah of the Messenger (S).

Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger (S) said: "Fast whenever it (the new crescent) is sighted and break the fast when it is seen. If it is hidden from you (due to cloudiness) then complete thirty days for Sha'baan" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Abdullaah bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not end (the month of) fasting until you see it. If it is covered from you (by clouds) then determine it (by counting thirty days)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Adee ibn Haatim said that the Messenger (S) said: "When Ramadhaan comes along then fast for thirty days except if you see the hilaal (crescent) before it" [At-Tahaawee, Ahmad and Tabaraanee]

Whoever fasts on the day of doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (Muhammad)

For this reason it is not recommended for the Muslim to fast optional fasting on the last two days of Sha'baan as a measure of precaution except if these coincide with days which he regularly fasts.

Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Do not precede Ramadhaan by fasting a day or two days before it, except for a man whose regular fasting coincides with these days, then he can fast" [Agreed upon]

And know well, our brother and sister in Islaam, that fasting on the day of doubt is disobedience to the Messenger (S). Ammaar ibn Yassaar said that the Messenger (S) said: " Whoever fasts on the day of doubt (the 30th day of Sha'baan) has indeed disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (S)" Abul-Qaasim is Muhammad (S). [Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]

Witnesses needed to Establish the Month

The beginning and the end of the month is established if one just muslim testifies that he saw it. The sighting of the moon is established if two just muslims witness it. The Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Fast when it is seen, and break the fast when it is seen. However if it is cloudy then complete thirty days. If two witnesses (see it) then fast and break the fast" [Nasaa'ee and Daarimee]

However, although the hadeeth above establishes that there is a need for two just witnesses, this does not mean that the witness of one person would not be accepted. The following hadeeth makes this clear. Ibn Umar said: "The people saw the moon,so I informed the Prophet (S) that I saw it. He (S) started to fast and commanded the people to fast also". [Abu Daawood and Daarimee]

Niyyah - the Intention

It is Waajib (compulsory) to establish the niyyah before the Fajr prayer for the compulsory fast (i.e. the fast of Ramadhaan).

The Messenger (S) said: "Whoever does not determine that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast (that is, it would not be accepted)" [Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]

He (S) also said: "Whoever does not carry the intention at night for fasting, will have no fast" [Nasaa'ee, Bayhaqee and Ibn Hazm]

Notes:-

1. The place of the intention is the heart and pronouncing it with the tongue is a Bid'ah (innovation), even though many consider it to be good.
2. Establishing of the intention in the heart before the time of Fajr is compulsory for the obligatory fasting only. However, for voluntary fasts the intention can be established at any time. Sometimes the Messenger (S) would come to Aa'isha other than in the month of Ramadhaan and would ask her: "Do you have any food? If not then I am fasting" [Muslim]

It is also established that Abu Darda, Abu Talha, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Abbaas and other companions practised this in relation to the voluntary fasting.

Performance of an obligatory action is dependant on the ability to do it.

Whether or not one ate or drank in the beginning of the day, if one becomes aware that Ramadaan has started, then one must immediately stop eating, drinking and all the other acts that break the fast. In this case one does not have to make up that day.

Establishing the intention (before the Fajr prayer) is not required in this case because one did not have the ability to do so. This is based on a principle of Fiqh (Jurisprudence) that: "in order for something to be conditional on the legally capable Muslim then he must have the abililty to do it"

Aa'ishah (R) said "The Messenger of Allaah (S) commanded (the people) to fast the Day of Aashooraa (10th Day of Muharram). However, when Ramadhaan was made obligatory, then whoever wanted to fast, fasted and whoever did not want to did not" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

It is narrated from Salamah bin al-Akwaa that he said: "The Messenger (S) commanded a man from Aslam to inform the people that whoever ate must fast the remainder of the day, and whoever did not eat let him fast because this is the day of Aashooraa (the 10th Day of Muharram)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

It must be noted that the Messenger (S) commanded this for a fast that was obligatory and he did not make it obligatory on them to fast another day because they did not have the intention to begin the fast. Ramadaan is also obligatory and so the same ruling will apply if the month begins and one does not know. As soon as he becomes aware, he must leave off everything and fast, and it will be accepted. And Allaah knows best.

The Duration of Fasting

Beginning of fasting

Allaah (T) said:

{..And eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the dark thread of Fajr} [Baqarah 2:187]

Adiyy ibn Haatim narrates: "When the above aayah was revealed, I placed a black rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look at them during the night but could not distinguish between them. I, therefore, hastened to the Messenger (S) and mentioned this to him, so he (S) said: "Verily that (aayah) refers to the blackness of the night and the whiteness of the day" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa'ad (R) that he said: "After this aayah was revealed {... And eat and drink until the black thread becomes distinct from white thread}, when someone wanted to fast he would tie to his feet a white thread and a black thread and he would continue to eat and drink until he could see them distinctly, so Allaah (T) revealed after that {... of the Fajr (prayer)}. Then they became aware that it meant the night and the day."

Notes:-

1. It must be known that there are two Fajrs (dawns);

a) a false Fajr: It is not allowed to pray the Fajr prayer at this time and eating is allowed for the person who intends to fast that day.
b) a true Fajr: At this time for the person who wants to fast, eating becomes prohibited so he has to stop eating and it becomes allowed to pray the Fajr prayer.
This is explained in the hadeeth of the Messenger (S). Ibn Abbaas said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "There are two Fajr (dawns). As for the first, it does not prevent eating (for the fasting person) nor does it permit prayer (the Fajr prayer). As for the other it prohibits eating and allows the prayer" [Ibn Khuzaimah and Haakim]

End of Fasting

When the night comes from the direction of the east and recedes from the direction of the west and the sun sets, it is time to break the fast.

Umar said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "If the night approaches from hither and the day recedes from there and the sun sets then the fasting person must break his fast" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The command that is established relative to this issue is that the fast can be broken directly after the last part of the sun disappears, even if light can still be seen.

Some people do not believe that the night is established directly after the sun sets. Their belief is that it is night when the darkness spreads over the east and the west. This same understanding was present among some of the companions of the Prophet (S) until he clarified it for them.

Abdullaah ibn Abi Awf said: " We were with the Messenger (S) on a journey and he (S) was fasting (because it was in Ramadaan). When the sun set he said to some people (and in another narration he said: "O Bilaal"): "Get down and prepare the meal of parched barley for us". He said "O Messenger of Allaah, If you can wait until it becomes evening (a little darker)." He (S) said "Get down and prepare the meal of parched barley for us" Bilaal (R) said: "You are still in daytime". He (S) said after that "Get down and prepare the meal of parched barley for us" So he got down and prepared the meal for them and the Messenger (S) drank. Then he indicated with his hand (and in another narration in Bukhaaree: he pointed with his finger towards the east) and then he (S) said: "If you see the night is approaching from this direction it is time for the fasting person to break his fast" [Bukhaaree , Muslim and Ahmad]

It is also established that the Companions of the Messenger (S) implemented this command of the Messenger (S). It is narrated that Abu Sa'eed al Khudree broke his fast as soon as the disk of the sun disappears. [Bukhaaree and Ibn Abi Shaybah]

So the fasting person should know that the beginning and the end of the fast is established at stated times and so they must not wait for the Aadhaan (call to prayer) to start or break the fast unless it is establilshed as soon as the time comes in. If it is established that the Aadhaan is delayed for the prayer then it is imperative that the person does not wait for it but starts and breaks his fast at the stated times. And Allaah knows best.

It is also a common practise among some communities that they wait until the Aadhaan is completed before they break the fast. There is no basis for this in the Sharee'ah and it must not be done.