Ramadan is mandatory for every Muslim who meets the requirements. This obligation is also confirmed in the Qur’an and hadith, making it an act of worship that has high spiritual value and consequences for those who deliberately cancel it. So, what is the law on breaking fast intentionally according to Islam? The following is a complete explanation.
Law on Canceling Fasting Deliberately
Ramadan fasting is mandatory for every Muslim who has fulfilled the requirements, as stated in the QS. Al-Baqarah: 183 which reads:
“You who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain piety.”
This verse emphasizes that fasting is not an option, but rather part of the Shari’a which must be carried out by every Muslim as a form of devotion to Allah SWT.
However, Islam provides relief for those who are forced to cancel their fast due to Islamic reasons, such as illness, the elderly, those on a long journey (travelers), or pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are worried about the condition of themselves and their babies.
Even though it is permissible, people who leave fasting for this reason still have consequences, namely making qadha (making up for fasting on another day) or paying fidyah, according to each individual situation.
Meanwhile, for those who break their fast on purpose without a syar’i excuse, the ulama agree that the law is haram and a major sin. Even making up for missed fasts is not enough, they must also repent sincerely (taaba nasuha) because their actions have violated one of the pillars of Islam.
In a hadith, Rasulullah SAW said:
“Whoever breaks the fast of one day of the month of Ramadan without reason and not because of illness, then he cannot replace it with dahr (continuous) fasting even if he does it.” — (HR. Bukhari)
This hadith shows how big the consequences are of breaking the fast intentionally without a justifiable reason. Sehingga meskipun seseorang berpuasa sepanjang tahun untuk menggantinya, ini tetap tidak akan bisa menyamai pahala dan keberkahan puasa Ramadan yang telah ia tinggalkan.
Also read: 8 Things That Cancel Fasting That You Must Know
Consequences of Canceling Fasting Deliberately
Scholars agree that breaking the Ramadan fast intentionally without a justifiable reason is haram and sinful. However, there are differences of opinion regarding the consequences and obligations that must be fulfilled. Here are the general opinions.
1. Shafi’i and Hanbali schools
According to the Shafi’i school of thought and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, breaking the fast intentionally requires the perpetrator to make up for the fast and repent nasuha, but is not accompanied by kafarat. Unless, the cause is due to having sexual relations between husband and wife during the day of Ramadan.
The main proposition used in the first opinion is the word of Allah SWT in QS. Al-Baqarah verse 184 which reads:
“And whoever among you is sick or on a journey (and breaks his fast), then (must make up for it), as many days as he missed, on other days.”
From this verse, the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools understand that someone who breaks his fast – whether for a justified reason or not – is only required to make up for it on another day.
Meanwhile, the obligation to pay kafarat only applies if the fast is broken due to jima’ (husband and wife relationship) as mentioned in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah RA that the Prophet SAW ordered people who perform jima’ during the day in the month of Ramadan to pay kafarat.
2. Maliki and Hanafi schools of thought
In contrast to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools of thought, the Maliki and Hanafi school of thought believe that every person who breaks the fast intentionally is obliged to fulfill qadha and nasuha repentance as well as pay the kafarat.
This school of thought believes that breaking the fast intentionally without a justifiable reason is an act that degrades the sanctity of the month of Ramadan so that the consequences must be more severe.
According to this view, the kafarat that must be paid is the same as for people who do jima’ during the day, namely by:
- Free the slaves, if you can’t afford it, then
- Fast for two months in a row, if you can’t afford it, then
- Feeding 60 poor people.
The Maliki and Hanafi schools emphasize that intentionally breaking a fast is a serious offense that must be accompanied by a heavier punishment as a form of penance, not just making up for missed fasting days.
Punishment for People Who Break the Fast Deliberately
Although there are opinions regarding the consequences, breaking the Ramadan fast on purpose carries very severe penalties. Not only in this world, but also in the afterlife.
The reason is, Islam views fasting as a very noble act of worship. So, openly breaking the fast while they are in good health and have no reason to allow them to break the fast, means they have committed a major sin as quoted from the Almanhaj page.
Rasulullah SAW also conveyed in a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim about the punishment for people who deliberately do not fast in the month of Ramadan:
“I saw some people hanging by their limbs, their mouths torn open, and blood flowing from their mouths. I asked: ‘Who are they, O Jibril?’ Jibril answered: ‘They are those who break the fast (break the fast) before the time has come.'” (HR. Ibnu Majah and Al-Hakim)
This hadith illustrates how severe the punishment is for those who underestimate the obligation to fast. Apart from torture in the grave, another hadith also states that one day they will also suffer the wrath of Allah SWT on the Day of Judgment as stated in the QS. Maryam verse 59:
“Then there will come after them, (bad) substitutes who waste their prayers and follow their desires, then they will later find themselves astray.”
If it is related to fasting, those who deliberately break their fast without a justifiable reason mean they have followed their desires and risk suffering a painful punishment.
“Fortunately”, for those who have broken their fast on purpose, Islam still provides a way to return through repentance, changing the fast (qadha), and paying the kafarat, paying the ransom according to the provisions of the Shari’a.
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