Fiqh of Fasting: Change in person’s state or condition or status doesnt change initial ruling of that day

8. Change of condition of a person doesn’t obligate one to refrain from eating and drinking the rest of the day.
What does one do if a kafir (non muslim) becomes muslim, a menstruating woman becomes clean, an ill person becomes well, a traveler arrives home, a child reaches puberty or an insane person regains their sanity while not fasting during the day? Do they fast from thereon or they continue eating?
There is difference of opinion and controversy in this matter again. Imaam Maalik, ash-Shaaf’ai, and one of the two opinions of Imaam Ahmad say that they can continue eating. While the other opinion is that they must fast the rest of the day as well as pay the day back. Each matter needs to be investigated separately as to what is more feasible in each and every situation.
It was narrated that Ibn Mas’ood (Radi Allahu Anhu) said: “Whoever eats at the beginning of the day, let him eat at the end,” i.e., if it was permissible for him not to fast at the beginning of the day, it is permissible for him not to fast at the end of it. So according to the opinion of Ibn Mas’ood it would be safe to say that it is permissible to eat and drink the rest of the day. And it would seem impractical for a new muslim, or one who gains his sanity back to do this the same day. They have to learn a lot of stuff and adjust to a lot of stuff and things should be taken one step at a time so that a person doesn’t feel overwhelmed before they are able to start fasting.

(Chapter 4 & 5 – Insha’Allah comming soon around Eid al Fitr)

5 Responses to “Fiqh of Fasting: Change in person’s state or condition or status doesnt change initial ruling of that day”

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1 rightintwo September 14, 2006 at 6:23 pm

Salam,

Do you know if they have to then make up that one day of fasting later at some point? JZK.

-abu sara

2 danishhasan September 14, 2006 at 7:18 pm

Walaykum As Salaam wa Rahamtullah,

well it depends on the situation for soem of them theres a clear cut answer liek the menstruating woman, she has to make up the fast as the only thing that prevented her from fasting was menstruation and I think the ruling for this is in the next chapter. The menstruating woman has to make up her fast after she bcomes clean.

As for the others im pretty sure there is difference of opinion regarding it. Each situation woudl be different, like an insane person turning sane would need to be taught about fasting first before he is obligated to fast because he is ignorant of the issue and ignorance (not deliberate ignorance) is forgiven.

The ill person has to make it up or feed a needy person, i think this is mentioned in one of the rulings previously-

Fiqh of Fasting: Expiation for the inability to fast due to age or illness

It sa case by case thing, just ask your Imam, I dont think there will eba definite answer on it.
Allahu Alim