Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

 A firm decision

He did not know that the month had started until after Fajr time began

Q: What is the ruling on the fast of the person who did not know that the month of Ramadhan had begun until after the time of Fajr had entered, due to sleep or other than that?

A: Whoever did not know that the month of Ramadhan had begun until after the time of Fajr had entered, then he must refrain from those things that break the fast for the rest of his day, because it is a day of Ramadhan. It is not permissible for the person who is a resident of a place and healthy to partake of any of the things that would break the fast during Ramadhan. He must also make up for the day of fasting because he did not pass the night with the intention to fast before the time of Fajr. It has been confirmed from the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) that he said: "Whoever does not pass the night with the intention to fast before the (time of) Fajr, then he has no fast" (An-Nasa'i no. 2333).

The great scholar Ibn Qudamah reported this in Al-Mughni and it is the opinion of most of the Fiqh scholars. What is intended by this is the obligatory fast, and this is due to the noble Hadith which we have mentioned. In reference to the voluntary fast, it is permissible to begin it during the daytime as long as the person has not partaken of anything that would break the fast. This is because that which proves this has been authenticated from the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam). We ask Allah to help the Muslims to do that which pleases Him and that He accept from them their fasting and standing in prayer during the night. Verily, He is All-Hearing, Most Near.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz

Fasting with the Country in which you reside

Q: If the beginning of the month of Ramadhan has been confirmed in one of the Islamic countries, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and that has been announced, however in the country in which I live, the beginning of Ramadhan has not been announced, what is the ruling? Do we fast merely by the confirmation in the Kingdom or do we break our fast and fast with them (the people where we are) whenever they announce the beginning of the month of Ramadhan, and likewise regarding the beginning of Shawwal - 'Eid day? What is the ruling if there is a difference in the matter between two countries? May Allah reward you with a good reward on behalf of the Muslims and us.

A: It is obligatory upon the Muslim to fast with the country where he is and to break his fast with them. This is due to the statement of the Prophet (salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam): "The fast is the day that you all fast, breaking the fast is on the day that you all break the fast and the sacrifice (Al-Adhha) is on the day that you all sacrifice" (At-Tirmithi no. 697).

And success is from Allah.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz