Abu Hurairah (radialláhu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever intentionally eat during one day in Ramadan without a valid excuse or sickness (accepted by the shari’ah), may not recover but fast for the rest of his life. “
Commentary
The opinion of some scholars is that if someone does not comply with any day of the fast of Ramadan without a valid excuse, this person can never compensate for this loss (to meet the obligation qada). Even if he fasts for the rest of his life, this person can not compensate for the lost day. ‘Al (radialláhu `anhu) and others had the same opinion. However, the vast majority of scholars holds that if someone does not fast for a day of Ramadan, then he should fast a day to compensate. On the other hand, when someone begins to fast in Ramadan and break their fast one day without a valid excuse, shall, in accordance with the shari’ah, fast for two consecutive months without interruption. In any case, the true virtues and blessings of Ramadan will never be matched. This is the meaning of the hadith, if you have lost a day of fasting in Ramadan (without a valid excuse), they can never recover the blessings of it.
This is for those who are fasting Gada. How unfortunate and lost are those who deny the fast and do not practice at all? Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has named five principles of Islam. The first and most important is faith in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala and that Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is His Messenger, then prayer, fasting, Zakat and Pilgrimage (Hajj).
We find that many Muslims practice even one of these pillars. Census and statistics they are counted as Muslims, but in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala are not considered as such. Ibn ‘Abbas (radialláhu’ Anhumas) relates in a hadith that: “Islam is based on three principles Shahadah, Salah, Saum (fasting). Anyone who does not meet any of them is an infidel and you can apply the death penalty .
Regarding the last part of this hadith, the ‘ulama (scholars) have said that they turned to disbelief when he and not do them, they deny its importance or which are pillars of Islam. No matter what interpretation is given, as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) referred to these people in the strongest terms. Therefore, those who fail to comply with the obligations of our religion should fear the wrath of Allah. No one will escape death, the pleasures and comforts of this life are for a very short period.
Only obeying the orders of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, we can save. There are many ignorant people who do not fast at all. What is the position of those who not only reject the fast, but also mock and deride the arrival of the month of Ramadan? This is dangerous because it leads to closer to kufr. They can be heard saying: “Fasting is for people who have no food at home, not for me” or “What’s in Allah ta’ala to make us suffer from hunger?”. Such words should not even be pronounced, it must be remembered that, mocking or joking about any of the affairs of our Din, is kufr (disloyalty).
A person may not make a single Salah in his life or fail to meet any of the obligations of our Din, however, while not denying its obligation and its importance, this is not considered as kufr, but will be punished for noncompliance. But mocking and making fun of any aspect of our religion, is kufr, and supersedes all good deeds. Given the sensitivity of the subject, should not rule any of these these irresponsible about fasting.
I think that ten ahadith are sufficient for this first chapter. One is enough for those who are obedient and in the case of those who are disobedient, no matter how many are written will never be enough. May Allah grant all Muslims the Taufiq (ability) to meet the ‘Amal! (Virtuous actions). Amin.
