By:
Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
The punishment for breaking the fast in Ramadan with no
excuse
I do
not fast. Will I be punished on the Day of Resurrection?.
Praise be to Allah.
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the pillars on which Islam is built.
Allah tells us that He has prescribed it for the believers of this ummah
[nation], as He prescribed it for those who came before them. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious”
[al-Baqarah 2:183]
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, 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 Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe
Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number
[of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other
days. Allah 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 Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allah is the Most
Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
Al-Bukhaari (8) and Muslim (16) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah
be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no
god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer;
paying zakaah; Hajj; and fasting Ramadan.”
Whoever does not fast has abandoned one of the pillars of Islam,
and is committing a grave major sin. Indeed some of the salaf were of the view
that he is a kaafir [disbeliever] and apostate – we seek refuge with Allah from
that.
Abu Ya’la narrated in his Musnad from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said: “The
bonds of Islam and the bases of religion are three, on which Islam was founded.
Whoever gives up one of them becomes a kaafir thereby and it is permissible to
shed his blood: the testimony that there is no god but Allah, the prescribed
prayers and fasting Ramadan.”
This hadeeth was classed as Sahih by al-Dhahabi, and as hasan by
al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 1/48, and by al-Mundhiri in al-Targheeb
wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 805, 1486. Classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah
al-Da’eefah, no. 94.
Al-Dhahabi said in al-Kabaa’ir, p. 64.
Whoever does not fast in Ramadan without being sick or having any
other excuse that allows him not to fast is more evil than the adulterer or
drunkard, indeed they doubted his Islam and thought that this was heresy.
A Sahih report which warns against not fasting was narrated by Ibn
Khuzaymah (1986) and Ibn Hibbaan (7491) from Abu Umaamah al-Baahili who said: I
heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Whilst I was sleeping
two men came to me and took my by the arm and brought me to a cragged mountain.
They said, ‘Climb up.’ I said, ‘I cannot.’ They said, ‘We will make it easy for
you.’ So I climbed up until I was at the top of the mountain. Then I heard loud
voices. I said, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘This is the howling of the
people of Hell.” Then I was taken until I saw people hanging by their
hamstrings, with the sides of their mouths torn and blood pouring from their
mouths.’ I said, ‘Who are these?’ He said, ‘These are people who broke their
fast before it was time.’” Classed as Sahih by al-Albaani in Sahih Mawaarid al-Zam’aan, no.
1509.
Al-Albaani (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This is the
punishment of those who fasted then broke the fast deliberately before the time
for breaking the fast came, so who about those who do not fast at all? We ask
Allah to keep us safe and sound in this world and in the Hereafter.
Our advice to the brother who asked this question is to fear Allah
and to beware of His wrath, vengeance and a painful punishment. He should
hasten to repent to Allah before the destroyer of pleasures that splits people
apart [i.e., death] takes him unawares. Today there is action and no reckoning,
but tomorrow there will be the reckoning and no action. Note that whoever
repents, Allah will accept his repentance, and whoever draws closer to Allah
one hand span, Allah will draw closer to him one cubit. For Allah is Most
Generous, Forbearing and Most Merciful, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Know they not that Allah accepts repentance from His slaves and
takes the Sadaqaat (alms, charity), and that Allah Alone is the One Who
forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?”
[al-Tawbah 9:104]
If you try fasting and find out how easy it is and what comfort it
brings and how close it brings you to Allah, you will never give it up.
Think about what Allah says at the end of the verses on fasting
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things
difficult for you”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The phrase, “so that you may be grateful to Him” shows that
fasting is a blessing for which we must give thanks. Hence some of the salaf
used to wish that the whole year was Ramadan.
We ask Allah to help you and guide you, and to open your heart to
that which will bring you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
And Allah knows best.
