Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

 A firm decision

The ruling on fasting Ramadhan 28 days

Q: Is it permissible to fast only 28 days for the month of Ramadhan?

A: It is confirmed in the extensive authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) that the month is not less than 29 days. When it is confirmed with Islamically valid evidence that the month of Shawwal has entered after the Muslims have only fasted 28 days, this means that they did not fast the first day of Ramadhan. Therefore, they must make up for it, because it is not possible for the month to be 28 days. The month is only 29 or 30 days.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

Can we fast 31 days?

Q: If we began our fast in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, then we travelled to our country in East Asia during the month of Ramadhan, where the Islamic Hijri month is a day behind, should we fast 31 days?

A: If you fasted in Saudi Arabia or another land, then you fasted the rest of the month in your own land or another place, then break your fast with them (in the last land) even if that is more than 30 days. This is due to the statement of the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam):

"The fast is the day that you all fast and breaking the fast is the day when you all breakfast" (At-Tirmithi no. 697).

However, if you did not complete 29 days, you must complete that (number of fasting days). This is because the month is not less than 29 days.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

The ruling on always fasting 30 days for Ramadhan

Q: What is the ruling concerning some people who always fast 30 days for Ramadhan?

A: The extensive authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam), the consensus of the Companions of the Messenger (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) and those who followed them in righteousness of the scholars, prove that the month is either 29 or 30 days. So, whoever always fasts it 30 days without looking into the new moons (i.e., sightings), then he has opposed the Sunnah and the consensus (Ijma'), and he has made an innovation in the religion that Allah has not allowed. Allah said: "Follow what has been revealed to you all from your Lord and do not follow any Awliya' (friends, helpers, supporters) besides Him” (Al-A'raf 7: 3).

And He said: "Say (O Muhammad): If you all love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you” (Aal 'Imran 3: 31).

And He said: "Whatever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, then take, and whatever he forbids you from, then abstain (from it). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment” (Al-Hashr 59: 7).

And He, the Mighty and Majestic said: "These are the limits of Allah and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), He (Allah) will enter him into gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will abide therein forever and that is the supreme success. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) and transgresses His limits, He (Allah) will enter him into a Fire (Hell) to abide therein forever, and he will have a disgraceful torment” (An-Nisa' 4: 13, 14).

And the Verses with this meaning are numerous. It is recorded in the two Sahihs (of Al-Bukhari and Muslim) in a Hadith from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: “ Fast according to its (the new moon's) sighting and break your fast according to its sighting. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then consider it (i.e., count it as 30 days)” (Al-Bukhari no. 1906 and Muslim no. 1080).

This Hadith is agreed upon and in a version recorded by Muslim he said: “Then consider it to be 30 days" [Muslim no. 1080]. In another wording reported in the Two Sahihs, he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: "When you all see the new moon (of Ramadhan), then fast, and whenyou see it (the new moon of Shawwal), then break your fast. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then consider it 30 days” (Muslim no. 1080).

In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is reported from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: “Fast according to its sighting and break your fast according to its sighting. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then fast 30 days” (Al-Bukhari no. 1909).

And in another wording he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: "Then complete the number (of days) as 30” (Al-Bukhari no. 1907).

And in yet another wording he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said:

"Then complete Sha'ban as 30 days." It is also reported from Huthayfah that the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: "Do not fast until you see the new moon (of Ramadhan) or you complete the number (as 30 days). And do not break your fast until you see the new moon (of Shawwal) or you complete the number (as 30 days)."

This was recorded by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i with an authentic chain of narration. It has also been confirmed from him (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) in a number of Hadiths that he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) said: "Verily, the month is 29 days, so do not fast until you see the new moon, and do not break the fast until you see the new moon. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then complete the number (as 30days)" [Ad-Dawud no. 2326. and An-Nasa'i' no. 2128]

And it has been confirmed from him (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) that he said: “The month is like this, and this and this," and he raised his ten fingers, and he withdrew his thumb the third time. Then he said: "The month is like this, and this and this," with his ten fingers, and he did not withdraw his thumb at all.

In doing this, he (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) was alluding to the fact that sometimes it is 30 days and sometimes it is 29 days. Indeed the people of knowledge and faith from the Companions of the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) and those who followed them in righteousness have met these Hadiths with acceptance and submission, and they acted according to their dictates. Thus, they would look for the new moon of Sha'ban, Ramadhan and Shawwal, and they would act according to what the evidence testified to of completing the month (i.e., 30 days) or shortening it (i.e., 29 days). Therefore, it is obligatory upon all the Muslims to traverse upon this straight path and abandon whatever opposes it from the opinions of people and what they have introduced of innovations. In this way, they will be members of those whom Allah has promised them Paradise and pleasure in His Statement: "And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them in righteousness (in faith). Allah is pleased with them and they are phased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success" (At-Tawbah 9: 100).

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz