Fatwa ID: 04888

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

It’s about the validity of an optional fast. If a man caresses his penis, but he fears ALLAH and he stops it. He didn’t enjoy and no liquid has come out. Later in the morning, knowing the fact he hasn’t eaten or drank anything since the night, he makes the Niyyat (before the “1hour before zawal”) for optional fasting. Is his fasting valid?  

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In the aforementioned situation if a person touched his private parts and nothing came out or if a person (even though it is sinful) engaged in masturbation and semen was released and then before the Islamic midday makes an intention for an optional fast then his fast will be accepted. (Hidayah p.212 v.1)

The reason why is that ghusl becomes obligatory after the release of semen. However, it is not necessary to have a ghusl before the time of sehri finishes.  One can have the ghusl afterward.  (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.496 v.6)

Similarly, Imam Shurunbulali (RA) has written in his Nurul Idah ‘If one awakens in the state of janabah (due to a wet dream or sexual intercourse) the fast does not break, even if one remains in this state for the entire day’.   (Nurul Idah p.141)

Saaidah Aaiha Radiallahu Anha narrates that ‘the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam would be overtaken by the dawn when he was in a state of major ritual impurity whilst in the state of fasting’.   (Sunan Abi Dawud p.330 v.1)

Finally, it should be remembered that there is a difference between Zawal and the Islamic midday (Dahwatul Kubra). The Islamic midday is half of the time from the break of dawn (Subhe Sadiq) until sunset. For example, if Subhe Sadiq is 6 am and sunset is 8 pm, half of that will be 1 pm, thus, an intention has to be done before then. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.437 v.4)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham