𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 10 | 10 Sha’bān 1444H

Last lesson we covered the conditions for fasting to be obligatory. In this lesson we will go over the: Conditions for fasting to be valid A person's fast is null and void unless they fulfil the following 5 conditions: 1. Islām (as opposed to disbelief) 2. Sanity (as opposed to insanity) 3. Discernment (as opposed to lack of discernment) 4. Intention (as a opposed to lack of intention) 5. Purity (as opposed to impurity; namely menstrual and post natal bleeding, this condition is specific to women) 🔺Note: In order for someone's fast to be valid, these conditions must precede the fast and remain intact throughout the fast Let us now explain these conditions in a bit more detail: 1⃣- Islām Allāh does not accept the deeds of a disbeliever. He the Exalted said (translated meaning): “It has already been revealed to you and to those Prophets before you that if you associate others with Allāh, your deeds will certainly be void and you will truly be one of the losers.” [Sūrah Zumar: 65] He the Almighty also said (translated meaning): “And whoever rejects faith, all their good deeds will be void ˹in this life˺ and in the Hereafter they will be among the losers.” [Sūrah Mā'idah: 5] 2⃣- Sanity The pen of accountability is lifted from the insane until they regain sanity. This means nothing is recorded for, or against them. 3⃣- Discernment We know from last lesson that children under the age of puberty are not obligated to fast. However, these children are divided into two categories: 1) Mumayyiz (a child who has reached the age of discernment) 2) Ghayr Mumayyiz (a child who is under the age of discernment) 🔺Note: The age of discernment is around seven, because this is the age at which the Prophet ﷺ instructed to teach children how to pray. But it's possible for a child younger than seven to be Mumayyiz, because Tamyeez/discernment has no specific age. It's more to do with a child’s ability to comprehend instructions and understand right from wrong. So, it's not obligatory for a child under the age of puberty to fast, however, if the child is Mumayyiz, their fast is valid, and if they are Ghayr Mumayyiz, their fast is invalid; this is because the child who is Mumayyiz understands the requirements and implications of fasting, as opposed to the child who is Ghayr Mumayyiz. 💡Benefit: Sheikh ‘Uthaymīn raḥimahullāh said: “Fasting with respect to the [Mumayyiz] child who is under the age of puberty is Sunnah; he will be rewarded for fasting, but if he doesn't fast he will not be held accountable.” [Fiqh Al-Ibādāt, Pg. 186] 4⃣- Intention The proof for this condition is the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “Actions are judged by intentions, and a person will be rewarded according to what he intended.” [Bukhāri & Muslim] We will explain this condition in more detail in a separate lesson InshāAllāh. 5⃣- Purity from menstruation & post-natal bleeding This condition was covered last lesson. However, it's important to remind our sisters that there is a third type of blood seen by some women; a non-menstrual vaginal bleeding that stems from a raptured blood vessel, also known as Al-Istiḥāḍhah. This type of blood differs from menstrual and post-natal bleeding in three physical characteristics; Al-Istiḥāḍhah is (1) brighter in colour, (2) lighter in flow, and (3) stronger in smell. Also, it doesn't have a regular cycle. More importantly, Al-Istiḥāḍhah differs from the other two types in terms of ruling; Al-Istiḥāḍhah does not prevent a woman from observing Ṣalāh, fasting, engaging in sexual intercourse, or any other act that is forbidden as a result of the previous two types. Therefore a woman who is experiencing Al-Istiḥāḍhah must continue with her prayers and fasting. If she is unsure of which type of blood she is experiencing, she should consult knowledgeable sisters around her for further advice.