Fatwa ID: 01530

Answered by Molana Ishaaq Hussain

Question:

Assalamu alaykum! If one has consumed alcohol before Ramadan, does one still have to fast during the month of Ramadan? Some people has said to me that one will not get any reward for ones ibadat for 40 days, so if one drank alcohol some day before ramadan, does that mean that one should not fast? Please clarify and mention some sources, verses, hadith or fatwa.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Let it be well known that alcohol is a sinful act and it is an act that has been forbidden by Allah .

Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran: Oh you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, animals sacrificed for other than Allah Ta’ala, and the arrows used superstitiously for seeking luck and making decisions are an abomination of shaitaan’s handiwork. So strictly avoid it in order that you may be successful. (Surah Maaidah Verse 90)

Saaiduna Abdullah Ibn Amr Radiallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “Whoever drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he again drinks alcohol and gets drunk, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days and if he dies he will go to Hell. But if he repents, Allah will accept his repentance. If he commits (this sin) again, then Allah pledges to make him drink the mud of khabaal on the Day of Resurrection.” They asked, “O Prophet of Allah, what is the mud of khabaal?” He said, “The puss of the people of Hell.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

“Wine (or Intoxicants) is the mother of all immorality, whoever drinks it, his Salah is not accepted for forty days, this is due to the fact that it remains in his system (veins and muscles) for forty days, if anyone dies in this state, he has died an ignorant persons death.” (at-Tayseer Sahrah Jami’ Sagheer Vol:1 Pg: 1086) (See also Faidh al-Qadeer Vol: 3 Pg: 678).”

From the above sources we come to know of how much Alcohol is disliked in the eyes of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, therefore one should refrain from it at all times. However, if a person has consumed alcohol then he should repent to Allah for the sin he has committed.

With regards to fasting, Allah states in the Quran. “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoyed upon those before you so that you be God fearing.” (Surah Al Baqarah v.183)

It should be known that fasting in the month of Ramadan is a definitive obligation (Faraidh) due to the above mentioned verse of the Holy Quran. A consensus (Ijma) has taken place about the definitive- ness of this obligation. (Hidayah p 229 v 1)

Therefore a person is not permitted to leave out these fasts. For Allah has enjoined them upon us. Yes, with the exception of a few people, who’s circumstances do not allow them to do so such as a woman who is in her menses, or a person who is so ill to fast that he fears he will lose his life for such people Shariah has stated that they may offer Qada i.e. make up for the fast they missed, once they are permitted to do so.

With regards to your question, the saying that you have been hearing from people can be found in Imam Jalal Udin Suyuti’s Kitab Jamius Sageer and also in the Sunan of Ibn Majah. The only slight difference is that the warning of not getting reward for 40 days is with regards to Salah. I have not come across anything in which it refers to Sawm/Fasting.

The conclusion we come to, is that if a person did consume alcohol before the month of Ramadan, the obligation of Fasting will still be binding upon him, therefore he will still be required to keep the fasts of Ramadan.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Ishaaq Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.