Exemptions from Fasting in Ramadan: A Breakdown by Category
The 10 Categories of People Pertaining to Fasting during the Month of Ramaḍān
[The first and second]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله Said:
The First:
The Sane Resident Muslim who Reached Puberty, has the Ability to Fast, and is Free from any Obstacles Preventing Him from Fasting. If an Individual Meets these Conditions then Fasting during the month of Ramaḍān will become obligatory upon him. ALLĀH ﷻ Said:
{شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ}
{The month of Ramaḍān in which was Revealed the Qur’an, a Guidance for Mankind and Clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramaḍān i.e. is Present at his home), he Must observe Saum (fasts) that Month, And Whoever is ill or on a Journey, The same number [of days which One did Not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from Other days. ALLĀH ﷻ intends for you Ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must Complete the same Number (of days), and that you Must magnify ALLĀH ﷻ [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; ALLĀH ﷻ is the Most Great) on seeing the Crescent of the Month of Ramaḍān and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.}
[2:185]
As for the Disbeliever, it is Not Obligatory upon Him to Fast, because his Worship is Invalid. If he Became Muslim during the Month of Ramaḍān he will Not be Required to make Up the Day’s he has Missed. This is Based on ALLĀH’S ﷻ Statement:
{قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِن يَنتَهُوا يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ}
{Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven} [8:38]
The Second:
The Prepubescent Child isn’t Obliged to Fast Until he reaches Puberty.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
رُفِعَ القلَم ُعَن ثلاثةٍ عن النّائمِ حتّى يَستيقظَ وعنِ الصَّغيرِ حتّى يكبُرَ وعنِ المَجنونِ حتّى يعقِلَ أو يفيقَ.
❝The Pen is Lifted off of Three People: The one who is Asleep Until he wakes Up, the Child Until he Reaches Puberty, and the Insane Until he Recovers❞.
[Abu Dawud, An’Nasai, sheikh Al-Albani graded it to be authentic]
However it is recommended for his guardian to command him to fast in order to train him upon obedience to his Lord before he reaches puberty, In attempt to follow the examples of the pious predecessors (رضي الله عنهم).
The Prophet’s companions (رضي الله عنهم) used to make their children Fast. They would bring them to the Masjid along with some toys that were made of fur. When the children complained about being hungry and started to cry they would give them the toys in order to keep them busy.
Signs of Puberty:
- 1/ Having a wet dream.
- 2/ Growing pubic hair.
- 3/ Reaching the age of 15.
The same signs of puberty are applied to the female with the addition of:
4/ the monthly period.
Source: Majaalis shahr Ramadan (Sittings during the month of Ramadan) page 70-74.
[The Third, Fourth and Fifth]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله Said:
The Third: The Insane Person, the one who has lost his Mind. Fasting is not obligatory upon him due to the hadith:
“The pen is lifted off of three people […] and the insane until he recovers”.
[Abu Dawud, An’Nasai, sheikh Al-Albani graded it to be authentic]
His Fasting is Invalid because he doesn’t have an intellect to comprehend his worship or to intend it. And worship isn’t accepted except with an Intention.
The prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
إنّما الأعمالُ بالنِّيّاتِ وإنّما لكلِّ امرئٍ ما نوى
“Actions are only considered based on their intentions, and a person will only have what he intends.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Fourth: Reaching the Age of Senility (mental infirmity). For these individuals neither fasting nor feeding is obligatory upon them, because they don’t have the ability to distinguish between things. They resemble the child who did not reach the age of discernment.
But if they lose their sanity sometimes and recover at another, then in this case fasting will be obligatory on Them at the time in which they recover and not the time in which they lose their sanity.
The Fifth: The one Who is in a State of Perpetual disability and isn’t able to fast, i.e: a fragile old man, or the one who is suffering from a terminal illness (example: cancer). Fasting isn’t obligatory upon them because they don’t have the ability to fast.
ALLĀH ﷻ Said:
{فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ }
{Fear ALLĀH ﷻ to the best of your Ability} [64:16]
However it is a must for them to replace the daily fast with feeding a poor Person for Everyday which they Missed. This is because ALLĀH ﷻ has made Feeding a Replacement for Fasting.
You are Given the Choice of Either Giving each Poor person a mudd (*) of Raw grains, which is ¼ of a Prophetic sa’, which Weighs approximately the amount of 510 grams of pure barley or you can cook the food and invite poor people according to the number of days that you have not Fasted.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
الشَّيْخُ الكَبِيرُ، والمَرْأَةُ الكَبِيرَةُ لا يَسْتَطِيعانِ أنْ يَصُوما، فيُطْعِمانِ مَكانَ كُلِّ يَومٍ مِسْكِينًا
“The old Man or Woman who is Unable to Fast must Feed a Poor person for Each Day they have not performed the Fast.”
[Al-Bukhari]
(*) A Mudd is equal to the volume of a 750 ml container]
Source: Majaalis Shahr Ramadan (Sittings during the Month of Ramaḍān) page 74-76.
[The Sixth]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله Said:
The Sixth: The traveler. The one who’s traveling is not for the purpose of breaking his fast. If he travels for the purpose of breaking his fast then in this case it will be impermissible for him to break his fast and it will be obligatory on him to fast. However if his traveling is for a valid reason then in this case he is given the choice of either fasting or breaking his fast regardless of how long his journey takes and whether his journey is casual or continual: such as pilots or taxi drivers. ALLĀH ﷻ says:
{وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ}
{And whoever is ill or on a Journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. ALLĀH ﷻ intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you} [Al-Baqarah:185]
Al-Bukhari and Muslim mentioned from the narration of Anas bin Malik who Said:
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا نُسَافِرُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ يَعِبِ الصَّائِمُ عَلَى الْمُفْطِرِ، وَلاَ الْمُفْطِرُ عَلَى الصَّائِمِ.
“We used to travel with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.”
What is better for the traveler is to Choose what is easier on him between fasting and breaking his Fast. If he finds it equal between fasting and breaking his fast, then in this case it is better for him to fast because that is quicker for him in discharging himself from his responsibility.
Likewise the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ broke his Fast on a Journey when he saw that it was hard upon his Companions to fast. As it is narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه who said:
أنّ رسولَ اللهِ ﷺ خرجَ إلى مَكَّةَ عامَ الفتحِ، فصامَ حتّى بلغَ كُراعَ الغَميمِ، وصامَ النّاسُ معَهُ، فقيلَ لَهُ: إنّ النّاسَ قد شقَّ عليهمُ الصِّيامُ، وإنّ النّاسَ ينظُرونَ فيما فعلتَ، فدعا بقدَحٍ من ماءٍ بعدَ العصرِ، فشربَ، والنّاسُ ينظُرونَ إليهِ فأفطرَ بعضُهُم، وصامَ بعضُهُم، فبلغَهُ أنّ ناسًا صاموا، فقالَ: أولئِكَ العُصاةُ
“The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷻ went out to Makkah in the year of the Conquest in Ramaḍān. He fasted until he reached Kura Al-Ghamim, and the people fast, so he called for a vessel of water after ‘Asr and drank it while the people were looking on. Then some of the people broke their fast and some continued to fast. He heard that some people were still fasting and he said: ‘Those are the disobedient ones”.
[Muslim]
Therefore, if it is hard upon you to fast then you must break your Fast.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
أولئِكَ العُصاةُ
“Those are the disobedient ones”. [Muslim]
If the traveler arrives at his hometown in the day light of Ramaḍān without fasting then he has to make up the day because he didn’t begin his fasting. The obligatory fasting is only considered valid if it begins from the rising of the dawn.
However, is it Obligatory on him to Fast the Rest of the Day?
There are Differences of Opinions Regarding this Issue.
Some of the scholars said: It is a must on him to fast the rest of the day out of respect for the sacredness of that day and then make up for that day later. This is the famous opinion of Al-Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله.
While other scholars Said: It is not obligatory upon him to fast the rest of the day because it is not going to benefit him since he has to make up the day anyway.
Source: Majaalis Shahr Ramaḍān (Sittings during the month of Ramadan) page 82-86.
[The seventh]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
The Seventh: The sick Person whose Sickness is Hoped to be cured. For this Individual there are Three States:
The First State: If he is able to fast Without any Difficulties or Harm then in this Case it is Obligatory on him to Fast. That is Because he doesn’t have a valid Excuse which Allows him to break his fast.
Second State: If he is able to Fast but with Some difficulties, without the fear of harm himself by Fasting, then he should break his fast. This is based on ALLĀH’S ﷻ statements:
{وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ}
{and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days.} [Al-Baqarah: 185]
It is Disliked for him to Fast Along with difficulty Because by doing this he is Leaving the ease which ALLĀH ﷻ has given Him and Instead chooses to Torture himself. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
إنّ اللهَ تعالى يُحِبُّ أنْ تُؤْتى رُخَصُهُ، كما يَكرَهُ أنْ تُؤْتى مَعصيَتُهُ
“ ALLĀH ﷻ loves that His Concessions should be Taken just as He Dislikes to be Sinned against”
[Collected by Ahmed and Ibn Hibban and Ibn Khuzaymah. Graded Authentic by Shayk Al-Albani. Sahih Al-Jami3 #1886]
Third State: If Fasting actually harm’s him, then it is Impermissible for him to fast based on ALLĀH’S ﷻ Statements:
{وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا}
{And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, ALLĀH ﷻ is Most Merciful to you.} [An-Nissa: 29]
{وَلَا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ}
{and do not throw yourselves into destruction}
[Al-Baqarah: 195]
And because of the Prophet’s Muhammad ﷺ Statement:
ولِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّاa
“And, your body has a right over you”. [Al-Bukhari]
From Among the rights which your Body has over you is that you should Not harm yourself, but Rather take ALLĀH’S ﷻ legislative concessions. This is based on the Prophet’s Muhammad ﷺ Statement:
لا ضَررَ ولا ضِرارَ
“There is Neither harm nor Reciprocating harm”.
[Collected by Ibn Majah. Shaykh Al-Albani graded it to be authentic in Sahih Ibn Majah]
Question: If a sick person is fasting Ramaḍān and then finds it difficult upon himself to complete his fast, in this case it is Permissible for him to break his fast due to the existence of an excuse. And if he broke his fast and then feels that he has the ability to Fast the rest of the day would his fasting be considered valid?
The answer is: no; because he broke his fast in the beginning of the day, and the obligatory fast will not be considered valid except if it is commenced from the rising of the dawn. But is it obligatory upon him to fast the rest of the day? The scholars have different opinions regarding it and we have already explained this when talking about the traveler who arrived at his hometown without fasting (HERE).
Also, if the doctors affirm that fasting May harm this sick Person or May Delay his treatment then in this case it is Permissible for him to Break his fast in order to Preserve his health and Avoid the Delay of his treatment. If there is Hope for his Treatment then he should wait Until When he is Treated then he can Make up his Fast. But if his Sickness is perpetual, in this Case his condition is like the Condition of the Fifth Category (HERE). He must ransom his day by feeding a poor man or woman.
Source: Majaalis shahr Ramadan (Sittings during the month of Ramadan) page 86-88.
[The Eighth]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
The Eighth: The Menstruating Woman. It is not permissible for her to fast. If she fasts, her fast is invalid. This is due to the Prophet’s Mohammad ﷺ Statement:**
ما رَأَيْتُ مِن ناقِصاتِ عَقْلٍ ودِينٍ أذْهَبَ لِلُبِّ الرَّجُلِ الحازِمِ مِن إحْداكُنَّ، قُلْنَ: وما نُقْصانُ دِينِنا وعَقْلِنا يا رَسولَ اللهِ؟ قالَ: أليسَ شَهادَةُ المَرْأَةِ مِثْلَ نِصْفِ شَهادَةِ الرَّجُلِ قُلْنَ: بَلى، قالَ: فَذَلِكِ مِن نُقْصانِ عَقْلِها، أليسَ إذا حاضَتْ لَمْ تُصَلِّ ولَمْ تَصُمْ قُلْنَ: بَلى، قالَ: فَذَلِكِ مِن نُقْصانِ دِينِها.
“I have not seen anyone more deficient in intellect and religion than you. A cautious, sensible man could be led astray by some of you.” The women asked, ‘O Messenger of ALLĀH ﷻ! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?’ He said, ‘Is not the witness of two women equal to that 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…”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Menstrual bleeding is a natural bleeding that comes out of a woman during specific days.
If she fasts and then sees blood (later), even if it is a minute before the setting of the sun, her fast for that day is invalid and she has to make it up, unless if it is a supererogatory fast.In that case her making up the day will be voluntary and not obligatory.
If she is purified from her bleeding in the day time of Ramaḍān, her fasting in the remaining hours of that day is invalid because of the existence of an obstacle that prevented her from fasting in the beginning of the day.
But (one may ask): is it obligatory on her to fast the remaining hours of that day even though it is invalid?
The scholars differed regarding this. And we have already mentioned (various positions concerning this during our discussion) about the traveler after his arrival to his home land (HERE).
If she is purified during the night from her bleeding then fasting will become obligatory upon her, even if it is a minute before dawn, because there is no obstacle that stops her from fasting. And her fast will be considered valid even if she did not perform the ritual purification until after the rising of the dawn similar to the “Junub”, [i.e. the one who is in a state of major ritual impurity due to sexual intercourse or ejaculation] his fast is valid event if he did not perform the ritual washing until after dawn. The proof for this statement of Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
كانَ النبيُّ ﷺ يُدْرِكُهُ الفَجْرُ جُنُبًا في رَمَضانَ مِن غيرِ حُلْمٍ، فَيَغْتَسِلُ ويَصُومُ
“The Prophet Mohammad ﷺ used to reach the morning in a state of major ritual impurity due to sexual intercourse. He would perform the full body wash and then observe the fast”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The postpartum bleeding is similar to the menstrual bleeding; the same rulings are applied: she must take up the number of days that she has missed. This is due to ALLĀH’s ﷻ statement:
{فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ}
{Make us the number of days you have missed in other days} [Al-Baqara: 184]
When Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was asked why is it that women make up their fast and not their prayer? She said: “we used to be in that state and we were commanded to make up the days of fasting which we missed, bue we were not commanded to make up the prayer”. [Muslim]
Source: Majaalis shahr Ramadan (Sittings during the month of Ramadan) page 92-93.
[The Ninth]
Sheykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen -رحمه الله- said:
The Ninth: The nursling mother or a pregnant woman who fears harm for herself or her baby due to Fasting.
For these women it is permissible for them to break their fast and make it up later. This is based on the hadith of Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) who reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Said:
إن اللهَ (عز وجل) وضعَ عن المسافرِ شطرَ الصلاةِ، وعن المسافِرِ والحاملِ والمرضعِ الصومَ.
“Indeed ALLĀH ﷻ has given the traveler the Authorization of Shortening the Prayer; and has given the traveler, the pregnant woman, and the nursling mother the legislative concession to break their fast”. [Sahih Ibn Majah]
She must make up for the days which she missed whenever she has the ability to do so and feels safe and secure, similar to the situation of the sick (HERE).
Source: Majaalis shahr Ramadan (Sittings during the month of Ramadan) page 93-94.
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