Question:
As Salamualaikum, I hope you’re doing great! Here’s the situation I wanted to ask about on the Clubhouse room. So I have a friend who just converted to Islam few months ago and she hasn’t told her parents that she’s Muslim and she’s young so she’s scared her parents might kick out of the house or something. Alhamdu’lillahshe’sgonna try her best to fast Ramadan but there are days like Monday that her mom doesn’t work and stays at home. So my friend’s wondering if she can feed a poor person on those days that her mom’s home or if she could make up those days at another time that her mom is not home? Or should she just risk it all and fast regardless of anything? Jazakallahu Khairan!
Answer:
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Sister in Islam,
We apologize for our belated response.
In principle, it is obligatory for a mature and sane individual to fast in the month of Ramadhan. The Qu’ran grants a dispensation from fasting to three individuals. The ill, the old, and the travellers. Besides these excuses, it is not permitted for one to leave fasting.
Your friend should attempt alternate ways to conceal her fasting. She can either spend most of that day outside, or take food into her room to show her mother she is eating. Nonetheless, while we cannot advise her to leave fasting, if she does happen to leave a day, she will have to make up for that day only. There will be no fidya (having to feed the poor) necessary. It is important to note that although she is in a difficult scenario, she must make tawbah for leaving the fast.
We understand it is a difficult situation and we ask Allah Ta’ala for ease. Ease and comfort will always be in following the commands of Allah. While we may have to undergo temporary hardship, lasting comfort will come as a result of our obedience to the orders of Allah.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Mirza-Zain Baig
Mufti Hammad Jogiat
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
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