𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 11 | 11 Sha’bān 1444H

Today's class is perhaps one of the more important lessons in this series, so please take time to reflect The 10 categories of people in Ramaḍhān and their rulings with respect to fasting Category 1⃣: The Muslim who is sane, mature, able to fast, resident, free from menstrual and post natal bleeding, and is not exempted from fasting ▪️a. This category is not excused from fasting, so it's obligatory upon them to fast during Ramaḍhān (Ādā'an). ▪️b. If they refrain from fasting, denying that fasting is an obligation, they exit from the fold of Islām; and if they do so out of laziness/heedlessness, this does not remove them from Islām, however, they have fallen into a major sin. ▪️c. Most scholars hold the view that deliberate missed fasts must be made up, but the stronger opinion is that anyone who deliberately misses a fast without excuse cannot make up for this; even if they fast a day in its place - it won't be accepted. Category 2⃣: The non-Muslims ▪️a. This category is not excused from fasting. However, they are not obligated to fast until they accept Islām. ▪️b. If they fast in this state, it won't be accepted; because Islām is a condition for deeds to be valid. ▪️c. If they accept Islām, all their previous misdeeds will be forgiven; so they are not obligated to make up for any previous missed fasts. ▪️d. If they accept Islām during the day, they must fast the rest of that day, and they do not have to make up for this day. They must also fast the rest of Ramaḍhān. Category 3⃣: The insane ▪️a. This category is excused from fasting because they are not accountable. ▪️b. If they fast in this state, it won't be accepted; because intention is a condition for deeds to be valid. ▪️c. If they regain sanity during the day, they must fast the rest of the day, and they do not have to make up for this day. They must also fast the rest of Ramaḍhān. 🔺Note: This category includes senility Category 4⃣: Children under the age of puberty ▪️a. This category is excused from fasting because they are not accountable. ▪️b. Their parents/carers should instruct them to fast if they are capable, in order make them accustomed. ▪️c. If the child is ghayr mumayyiz, their fast won't be accepted; because intention is a condition for deeds to be valid. ▪️d. If the child is mumayyiz, their fast is valid. ▪️e. If a child reaches puberty during the day, they have to fast the rest of the day, and they don't have to make up for this day. They must also fast the rest of Ramaḍhān. Category 5⃣: The Sick 🔺Note: Sickness is of two types: (1) Permanent sickness, such as terminal illness and old age (2) Temporary sickness, such as a high fever ▪️a. If the sickness is permanent, the obligation to fast is completely lifted; because Allāh does not burden a soul with more than it can bear. ▪️b. If the sickness is temporary, they are excused from fasting Ramaḍhān (Adā'an), but they must make up for any missed days afterwards (Qadhā'). ▪️c. If while fasting someone becomes sick, they are allowed to break their fast. ▪️d. If a person is not fasting due to sickness and then recovers during the day, they don't have to fast the rest of that day; rather they can continue eating, but they must make up for this day. ▪️e. Many scholars have said it's obligatory to feed a poor person for every missed day if the sickness is permanent. However, the stronger opinion is that there's no clear textual evidence to obligate this. As for the Āyah in Sūrah Al-Baqarah (184) which mentions the option of fasting or feeding a poor person, then what's correct is that this ruling was abrogated when the following Āyah (185) was revealed. [see lesson 7] 💡Benefit: The are three cases with regards to sickness: The First: If it's a minor sickness that's not affected by fasting, such as a light fever, minor headache, toothache and the like, a person is not exempted from fasting; so it's still obligatory upon them to fast.