The Law of Intentionally Breaking the Fast, Its Consequences Are Severe!

Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation for every Muslim who meets the requirements. This duty is emphasized in both the Qur'an and hadith, making it a highly spiritual act of worship with significant consequences for those who intentionally break their fast. So, what is the ruling on intentionally breaking the fast according to Islam? Here's a detailed explanation.

The Law of Intentionally Breaking the Fast

Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim who meets the necessary conditions, as stated in QS. Al-Baqarah: 183, which reads:

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."

This verse emphasizes that fasting is not optional, but rather a part of the Shariah that must be observed by every Muslim as an act of piety to Allah SWT.

However, Islam provides leniency for those who are forced to break their fast due to legitimate reasons (udhur syar'i), such as illness, old age, being on a long journey (musafir), or for pregnant or breastfeeding women who are concerned about their health or the health of their baby.

Although allowed, individuals who miss their fast for these reasons still have consequences, which include either making up the missed fast (qadha) on another day or paying fidyah, depending on their situation.

Meanwhile, for those who deliberately break their fast without a legitimate excuse (udhur syar’i), scholars unanimously agree that it is haram and considered a major sin. Simply making up the fast they missed is not enough; they must also sincerely repent (taubat nasuha), as their actions have violated one of the pillars of Islam.

In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

"Whoever breaks their fast for one day during the month of Ramadan without a valid reason and not due to illness, then they cannot make it up by fasting continuously (dahr), even if they do so." — (HR. Bukhari)

This hadith highlights the severe consequences of intentionally breaking the fast without a justified reason. Even if someone fasts throughout the year to make up for it, it will never match the reward and blessings of the Ramadan fast they intentionally broke.

Also Read: 8 Things That Break Your Fast, Which You Must Know.

The consequences of intentionally breaking the fast during Ramadan

The scholars unanimously agree that intentionally breaking the fast during Ramadan without a valid reason is haram (forbidden) and constitutes a major sin. However, there are differences of opinion regarding the consequences and

obligations that must be fulfilled. Here are the common views:

1. Mazhab Syafi'i dan Hanbali

According to the Shafi'i and Hanbali Mazhab of thought, intentionally breaking the fast requires the person to make up the fast (qadha) and repent sincerely (taubat nasuha), but does not require kafarat unless the reason for breaking the fast is engaging in sexual intercourse during the daylight hours of Ramadan.

The primary evidence used to support this opinion is the verse from the Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184, which states:

"And whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days. And Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship."

From this verse, the Shafi'i and Hanbali Mazhab understand that anyone who breaks their fast—whether with a valid reason or not—only needs to make up the missed fast on other days, without the need for kafarat.

However, the obligation to pay kafarat only applies if the fast is broken due to jima' (sexual intercourse), as narrated in a hadith reported by Abu Huraira, where the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) commanded the person who broke their fast by engaging in sexual intercourse during the day of Ramadan to perform kafarat.

2. Mazhab Maliki dan Hanafi

In contrast to the Shafi'i and Hanbali mazhab, the Maliki and Hanafi scholars hold the view that anyone who intentionally breaks their fast is obligated to perform qadha (make up the missed fast), repent sincerely (taubat nasuha), and also pay kafarat.

These Mazhab argue that deliberately breaking the fast without a valid reason is a serious offense that diminishes the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan, and therefore, the consequences should be more severe.

According to this view, the kafarat that must be paid is the same as for someone who engages in sexual intercourse during the day in Ramadan, which includes:

1. Freeing a slave; if that is not possible, then:

2. Fasting for two consecutive months; if that is also not possible, then:

3. Feeding 60 poor people.

   
   

The Maliki and Hanafi Mazhab emphasize that intentionally breaking the fast is a serious violation that must be followed by a more severe punishment, not just compensating for the missed fast, as a means of atoning for the sin.

The punishment for those who intentionally break their fast is severe.

Although there are varying opinions about the consequences, intentionally breaking the fast during Ramadan carries a very severe punishment. This punishment is not only in this world but also in the Hereafter.

This is because Islam views fasting as a very noble act of worship. Therefore, openly abandoning the fast while being in good health and without any legitimate excuse to break it means that the person has committed a major sin, as cited from Almanhaj.

Prophet Muhammad SAW also mentioned in a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim about the punishment for those who intentionally break their fast during Ramadan:

"I saw some people hanging by the tendons of their legs, their mouths torn, and blood flowing from their mouths. I asked, 'Who are they, O Jibril?' Jibril replied, 'They are the ones who broke their fast before the time.'" (HR. Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim)

This hadith illustrates how severe the punishment is for those who undermine the obligation of fasting. In addition to the torment in the grave, other hadiths also mention that they will face the wrath of Allah SWT on the Day of Judgment, as stated in QS. Maryam, verse 59:

"Then there came after them a generation who wasted the prayer and followed their desires. So they will meet perdition."

When connected to the act of fasting, those who intentionally break their fast without a valid excuse are seen as following their desires and risk facing severe punishment.

"Fortunately," for those who have intentionally broken their fast, Islam still provides a way back through sincere repentance (taubat nasuha), making up for the missed fasts (qadha), and paying the expiation (kafarat), fulfilling the requirements as prescribed by Islamic law.

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