Fasting During the Heatwave

Enquiry: Should we fast in the UK despite the heatwave? Advice: I was speaking to a good friend of mine in Saudi Arabia. He asked how things were in the UK and whether there was anything new. I replied, “Alhamdulillah, all is well. The only real update is the heatwave. Temperatures have reached around 33°C, which is unusually high for us.” His response was:« "يا رجل احنا فوق ٥٠" “(Come on) man, we're over 50°C.” So, in answer to the question: if people are able to cope with temperatures exceeding 50°C, then by Allah's permission we can manage temperatures below 40°C. As for fasting, my advice would be to have suhoor, make the intention, and begin the day intending to fast both Tāsūʿāʾ and ʿĀshūrāʾ. If, at any point during the day, you genuinely feel unable to continue due to dizziness, severe thirst, fear of fainting, or similar hardship, then you may break your fast. Since it is a voluntary fast, there is no sin upon you for doing so. This approach is better than not trying at all. In either case, you stand to gain one of two great rewards: 1⃣. You complete the fast despite the heat If Allah enables you to complete the fast, then the hardship endured brings increased reward. Allah says: “That is because they suffer neither thirst, nor fatigue, nor hunger in the cause of Allah... except that it is recorded for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of the doers of good to be lost.” [At-Tawbah 9:120] And the Prophet ﷺ said to ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her): “Your reward is according to the hardship you endure.” The scholars explained that when hardship is inseparable from an act of worship and not self-imposed, an increase in hardship can result in an increase in reward. 2⃣. You intend to fast but are forced to break it If you begin the day sincerely intending to fast and later have to break your fast due to genuine inability, then we hope that Allah will reward you according to your intention and the effort you made. The point is not to deprive yourself of the opportunity from the outset. Make the intention, take the means, and trust in Allah. If He enables you to complete the fast, then alhamdulillah. If circumstances force you to break it, then alhamdulillah — you still set out seeking His pleasure and reward. Reflect: Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that while on a ship, a caller proclaimed: "Allah has decreed upon Himself that whoever makes himself thirsty for His sake on a hot day, Allah will give him drink on the Day of Resurrection." Thereafter, Abū Mūsā would deliberately fast on the hottest and most scorching days. One of the righteous women of the Salaf would specifically choose the hottest days to fast. When asked why, she replied: "When goods become cheap, everyone buys them." Meaning: she sought those deeds that few people were willing to undertake because of their difficulty. Many of the righteous predecessors would weep at the approach of death, not out of fear of dying, but because they would no longer experience the thirst of hot fasting days and the worship of long winter nights. Despite this, Islam does not require a person to harm themselves. Imām Aḥmad rahimahullah was asked about a fasting person suffering from severe heat and said: "There is no harm in wetting a cloth to cool oneself with it or pouring water over oneself." Likewise, one of the companions (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ pouring water over his head while fasting due to thirst or heat." [Quotes from Laṭāʾif al-Maʿārif of Ibn Rajab rahimahullah] https://t.me/madrasatunaa/402