𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 7 | 7 Sha’bān 1444H

In this lesson we will discuss two matters. Firstly, we will give a brief history on how fasting Ramaḍhān became obligatory, and secondly, we will explain how to determine the start and end of Ramaḍhān. How fasting Ramaḍhān became obligatory Stage 1: Fasting the day of ’Āshūrā' (the 10th of Muḥarram) was optional prior to the Prophet's migration to Madīnah. ’Ā'ishah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhā said: “Quraish used to fast on the day of 'Āshūrā' during Jāhiliyyah (the Pre-Islamic period), and Allāh's Messenger (ﷺ) too, used to fast on that day.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] Stage 2: Then in the second year after Hijrah, fasting the day of ’Āshūrā' became obligatory. The Prophet ﷺ fasted on this day and ordered others to fast; he ﷺ instructed someone to announce, “Whoever has eaten should not eat any more, but fast, and whoever has not eaten should not eat, but complete his fast (till the end of the day).” [Bukhāri & Muslim] Stage 3: In the same year (2 AH), fasting the month of Ramaḍhān became obligatory, and subsequently fasting the day 'Āshūrā' became Mustaḥabb. [Bukhāri & Muslim] Stage 4: When Ramaḍhān was first obligated, Muslims were given a choice to either fast, or feed a poor person instead. Allāh the Almighty said (translated meaning): “As for those who can fast with difficulty they have [a choice either to fast or] to feed a poor person [for every day]. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew.” [Sūrah Baqarah: 184] Stage 5: This option was then abrogated when the following Āyah was revealed (translated meaning): “So whoever of you sights [the crescent on the first night of] the month [of Ramaḍhān], must observe Ṣawm.” [Sūrah Baqarah: 185] So fasting Ramaḍhān became the only option. During these 5 stages, Muslims had to fast from Ishā' till sunset the following day, and if someone fell asleep before Ishā' they had to fast from that point onwards. But this was later abrogated: Stage 6: Muslims were given permission to eat, drink and engage in sexual relations throughout the night (till dawnbreak) Bukhāri and Muslim reported from the ḥadīth of Al-Barā' ibn ’Āzib raḍhiyallāhu ’anhu that Qais ibn Ṣirmah Al-Ansāri was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Ifṭār (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, “No, but I would go and bring something for you.” He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, “Disappointment for you (i.e. you missed your ifṭār).” When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed about the whole matter and the following Āyāh was revealed (which means): “It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. Your spouses are a garment for you as you are for them. Allāh knows that you were deceiving yourselves. So He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you. So now you may be intimate with them and seek what Allāh has prescribed for you. ˹You may˺ eat and drink until you see the light of dawn breaking the darkness of night.” [Sūrah Baqarah: 187] 💡Benefit: An-Nawawi raḥimahullāh said: “The Prophet ﷺ fasted for nine years (i.e nine Ramaḍhāns), because fasting Ramaḍhān was made obligatory during Sha'bān in the second year after Hijrah, and he ﷺ passed away in the eleventh year after Hijrah.” [Majmoo': 6/250] How to determine the start and end of Ramaḍhān We already know from last lesson that the Lunar month consists of 29/30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon. Therefore, the obligation of fasting Ramaḍhān begins with the sighting of the new moon on the 29th of Sha’bān; if the new moon is sighted, the following day marks the 1st of Ramaḍhān and everyone has to fast, but if the new moon is not sighted, the following day marks the 30th of Sha’bān and Ramaḍhān begins the day after. The same process is repeated to determine the end of Ramaḍhān.