The ruling on always fasting 30 days

Question

What is the ruling concerning some people who always fast 30 days for Ramadhan?

Answer

The extensive authentic Hadiths from the Messenger of Allah the consensus of the Companions of the Messenger and those who followed them in righteousness of the scholars, prove that the month is either 29 or 30 days. So, whoever always fasts it 30 days without looking into the new moons (i.e., sightings), then he has opposed the Sunnah and the consensus (Ijma'), and he has made an innovation in the religion that Allah has not allowed. Allah said:

"Follow what has been revealed to you all from your Lord and do not follow any Awliya' (friends, helpers, supporters) besides Him” (Surah Al-A’raf 7: 3)

And He said:

"Say (0 Muhammad ): If you all love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you." (Surah Aal-‘Imran 3: 31)

And He the Mighty and Majestic said:

"Whatever the Messenger (Muhammad ) gives you, then take, and whatever he forbids you from, then abstain (from it). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment " (Surah Al-Hashr 59:7)

And He, the Mighty and Majestic said:

"These are the limits of Allah and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ), He (Allah) will enter him into gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will abide therein forever and that is the supreme success. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ) and transgresses His limits, He (Allah) will enter him into a Fire (Hell) to abide therein forever, and he will have a disgraceful torment.”(Surah An-Nisa’ 4: 13-14)

And the Verses with this meaning are numerous. It is recorded in the two Sahihs (of AI-Bukhari and Muslim) in a Hadith from Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) that the Prophet said:

"Fast according to its (the new moon's) sighting and break your fast according to its sighting. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then consider it (i.e., count it as 30 days)” (AI-Bukhari no. 1906 and Muslim no. 1080)

This Hadith is agreed upon and in a version recorded by Muslim he said:

"Then consider it to be 30 days” (Muslim no. 1080)

In another wording reported in the Two Sahihs, he said:

"When you all see the new moon (of Ramadhan), then fast, and when you see it (the new moon of Shawwal), then break your fast. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then consider it 30 days.” (Muslim no. 1080)

In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is reported from Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"Fast according to its sighting and break your fast according to its sighting. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then fast 30 days.”(Al-Bukhari no 1909)

And in another wording he said:


"Then complete the number (of days) as 30” (Al-Bukhari no 1907)

And in yet another wording he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Then complete Sha'ban as 30 days."

It is also reported from Huthayfah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

"Do not fast until you see the new moon (ofRamadhan) or you complete the number (as 30 days). And do not break your fast until you see the new moon (of Shawwal) or you complete the number (as 30 days). "

This was recorded by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i with an authentic chain of narration. It has also been confirmed from him in a number of Hadiths that he said:

"Veriry, the month is 29 days, so do not fast until you see the new moon, and do not break the fast until you see the new moon. And if it is hidden from you by clouds, then complete the number (as 30 days)” Ad-Dawud no. 2326 and An-Nasa'i' no. 2128)

And it has been confirmed from him that he said:

"The month is like this, and this and this," and he raised his ten fingers, and he withdrew his thumb the third time. Then he said: "The month is like this, and this and this," with his ten fingers,and he did not withdraw his thumb at all.

In doing this, he was alluding to the fact that sometimes it is 30 days and sometimes it is 29 days. Indeed the people of knowledge and faith from the Companions of the Prophet and those who followed them in righteousness have met these Hadiths with acceptance and submission, and they acted according to their dictates. Thus, they would look for the new moon of Sha'ban, Ramadhan and Shawwal, and they would act according to what the evidence testified to of completing the month (i.e., 30 days) or shortening it (i.e., 29 days). Therefore, it is obligatory upon all the Muslims to traverse upon this straight path and abandon whatever opposes it from the opinions of people and what they have introduced of innovations. In this way, they will be members of those whom Allah has promised them Paradise and pleasure in His Statement:

[color=orange]"And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them in righteousness (in faith). Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.”(Surah At-Taubah 9: 100)

Shaikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 3 Pages 235-239