Question
I do not fast. Will I be
punished on the Day of Resurrection?
Answer
Praise be to Allaah.
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the pillars on which Islam is built.
Allaah tells us that He has prescribed it for the believers of this ummah
[nation], as He prescribed it for those who came before them. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious”
“The
month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and
clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So
whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of
Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month,
and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not
observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you
ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that
you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah
[i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having
guided you so that you may be grateful to Him”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
Al-Bukhaari (8) and Muslim (16) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony
that there is no god but Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah;
establishing prayer; paying zakaah; Hajj; and fasting Ramadan.”
Whoever does not fast has abandoned one of the pillars of Islam,
and is committing a grave major sin. Indeed some of the salaf were of the view
that he is a kaafir [disbeliever] and apostate – we seek refuge with Allaah
from that.
Abu Ya’la narrated in his Musnad from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “The bonds of Islam and the bases of religion are three, on which
Islam was founded. Whoever gives up one of them becomes a kaafir thereby and it
is permissible to shed his blood: the testimony that there is no god but
Allaah, the prescribed prayers and fasting Ramadan.”
This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Dhahabi, and as hasan by
al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 1/48, and by al-Mundhiri in al-Targheeb
wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 805, 1486. Classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah
al-Da’eefah, no. 94.
Al-Dhahabi said in al-Kabaa’ir, p. 64.
Whoever
does not fast in Ramadan without being sick or having any other excuse that
allows him not to fast is more evil than the adulterer or drunkard, indeed they
doubted his Islam and thought that this was heresy.
A saheeh report which warns against not fasting was narrated by
Ibn Khuzaymah (1986) and Ibn Hibbaan (7491) from Abu Umaamah al-Baahili who
said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) say: “Whilst I was sleeping two men came to me and took my by the arm and
brought me to a cragged mountain. They said, ‘Climb up.’ I said, ‘I cannot.’
They said, ‘We will make it easy for you.’ So I climbed up until I was at the
top of the mountain. Then I heard loud voices. I said, ‘What are these voices?’
They said, ‘This is the howling of the people of Hell.” Then I was taken until
I saw people hanging by their hamstrings, with the sides of their mouths torn
and blood pouring from their mouths.’ I said, ‘Who are these?’ He said, ‘These
are people who broke their fast before it was time.’” Classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh Mawaarid al-Zam’aan, no. 1509.
Al-Albaani
(may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This is the punishment of those who fasted
then broke the fast deliberately before the time for breaking the fast came, so
who about those who do not fast at all? We ask Allaah to keep us safe and sound
in this world and in the Hereafter.
Our advice to the brother who asked this question is to fear
Allaah and to beware of His wrath, vengeance and a painful punishment. He
should hasten to repent to Allaah before the destroyer of pleasures that splits
people apart [i.e., death] takes him unawares. Today there is action and no
reckoning, but tomorrow there will be the reckoning and no action. Note that
whoever repents, Allaah will accept his repentance, and whoever draws closer to
Allaah one hand span, Allaah will draw closer to him one cubit. For Allaah is
Most Generous, Forbearing and Most Merciful, as He says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Know they not that Allaah accepts repentance from His slaves and
takes the Sadaqaat (alms, charity), and that Allaah Alone is the One Who
forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?”
[al-Tawbah 9:104]
If
you try fasting and find out how easy it is and what comfort it brings and how
close it brings you to Allaah, you will never give it up.
Think about what Allaah says at the end of the verses on fasting
(interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah
intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The phrase, “so that you may be grateful to Him” shows that
fasting is a blessing for which we must give thanks. Hence some of the salaf
used to wish that the whole year was Ramadan.
We ask Allaah to help you and guide you, and to open your heart to
that which will bring you happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
And Allaah knows best.
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