[Fasting]

Another example is Allah’s command regarding fasting on specific days, which is obligatory for all Muslims; as He has said: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ۝ أَيَّامًا مَعْدُودَاتٍ﴾[1]; “O you who believed! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become pious; on counted days”—which are the days of the month of Ramadan; as He has said: ﴿شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ﴾[2]; “The month of Ramadan, in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for the people, and as clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever among you witnesses it must fast it.” Naturally, its days begin once its crescent moon is confirmed by sighting or by widely transmitted reports; as Allah Almighty has said: ﴿يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِيَ مَوَاقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَالْحَجِّ﴾[3]; “They ask you about the crescent moons. Say: ‘They are time markers for the people and Hajj.’” Therefore, anyone who becomes certain of its crescent moon must fast until he becomes certain of the crescent of the month of Shawwal—except for one who is unable to fast due to illness, or who is traveling. Such a person must then fast in another month if he is able; as Allah Almighty has said: ﴿وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾[4]; “And whoever is ill or on a journey, then the same number of other days.” If, despite being able, he does not fast in another month until he witnesses the next month of Ramadan, he must give, for each day, a ransom of feeding one destitute person; as Allah Almighty has said: ﴿فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ﴾[5]; “And whoever is ill or on a journey, then the same number of other days; and upon those who are able (to fast) is a ransom of feeding one destitute person.”[6] However, fasting—and accordingly the ransom—is not required of one who is unable to fast due to young or advanced age;

↑[1] . Al-Baqarah/ 183-184

↑[2] . Al-Baqarah/ 185

↑[3] . Al-Baqarah/ 189

↑[4] . Al-Baqarah/ 185

↑[5] . Al-Baqarah/ 184

↑[6] . The apparent meaning of what His Eminence Mansoor has stated here is that if the excused person loses the excuse before he witnesses the next Ramadan, then he must make up the fast. However, if he is neglectful and does not make up the fast before the next Ramadan, he must make up the fast and also pay the ransom (fidyah). This is a well-known view from the Ahl al-Bayt and has also been reported from a group of the Sahabah and the Tabi‘un. His Eminence has also stated elsewhere that the excused person can choose between making up the fast and paying the ransom. However, making up the fast is preferable; as he has said in the exegesis of the verse: “It has been prescribed for you to fast on counted days; and it is the month of Ramadan. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey, the same number of other days. And for those who are able to fast on other days, if they wish not to fast on them, the ransom is feeding a destitute person. So anyone who voluntarily chooses good, it is better for him; and fasting is better for you than paying the ransom, if you know.”