Ruling Concerning the One Who Fast Ramadaan Thirty Days without an Increase or a Decrease
Source: The Beneficial Answers Concerning Some Matters of the Aqeedah
By Sheikh Abdul Azeez Bin Abdillah Bin Baaz (d. 1420H) (rahimahullaah)
Translated by Shaakir Abu Ukkaashaa
Taken from SalafyInk.com
Question: What is the ruling of Allaah and His Messenger [sallallahu alayhi wa salam] concerning a people who fast Ramadaan thirty days and never decrease less than that ever?
Answer: This is an erroneous action, rather it is reprehensible and it is in opposition to the the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [sallAllaahu alahi wa sallam] and the actions of his companions from Ahlil Bayt and other than them [radhia Allaahu anhum ajmaa'een] because of the statement of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aalaa:
"They ask you (O Muhammad) about the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage. It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allâh. So enter houses through their proper doors, and fear Allâh that you may be successful. (Al-Baqarah 2:189)"
And Subhaanahu statement:
"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment. (Al-Hashr 59:7)"
And the statement of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa salam]
"Fast when you see it [the hilaal] and break your fast when you see it [the hilaal] and if it is gloomy then complete the number of thirty days"
[Bukhaaree 1907, and Muslim 1081] from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah [radhia Allaahu anhu]
And in another expression:
"So fast thirty [days]"
[Muslim 17/1081 ] from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah [radhia Allaahu anhu]
And in another expression:
"So complete Sha'ban's number with thirty days"
[Bukhaaree 1909] and it is his expression and in [Muslim 18/1081]
So he completed the month with thirty days and the people fasted thirty days, and if it [the month] was less [than that] then the people would fast twenty-nine days. And the Ahadeeth come Mutawatiran from the Messenger [sallallahu alayhi wa salam] which indicates that a month can be twenty-nine days and it can also be thirty days. And for this the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa salam] commanded the sighting of the hilaal [crescent] and the completing of the number [of days] if the hilaal was not seen on the thirtieth night from the month of Sha'ban or the thirtieth night from [the month] of Ramadaan.
So it is not permissible for anyone to judge by his [own] opinion and say: "Indeed the month is always thirty [days] and that is because this statement clashes and contradicts the firmly established authentic ahaadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah [sallallahu alayhi wa salam] just as it contradicts the Ijmaa' [conscensus] of the Muslims for verily the Ulemaa have complete Ijmaa' that indeed the month can be twenty-nine days or thirty days. And reality bears witness to that, for everyone knows who concerns themselves with this affair. And indeed Allaah Subhaanahu said in His Great Book:
"Oh you who believe obey Allaah and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority amongst you and if you differ in anything then return it back to Allaah and His Messenger if you truly believe in Allaah and the Last Day that is better for you as a final determination" [An-Nisaa 4:59]
The Ulema from the people of Tafseer and other than them say: The return back to Allaah is the return back to His Noble Book and the return back to the Messenger of Allaah [sallallahu alayhi wa salam] is the return back to the Messenger of Allaah while he was alive and to his Sunnah after his death" And we have already clarified for you the evidences from the Kitaab and the Sunnah of the Messenger [alayhi salaatu wa salam] and the Ijmaa' of the people of knowledge that a month can be twenty-nine days or thirty days, so it is not for anyone from amongst the people to oppose this primary principle.
And the aid of Allaah is sought and He is sufficient for us and the best Protector.
