Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers has asked this question:

Dear Mr. Burhan Bhai,

Thank you for your mail and the detailed elaboration on the Sighting of the Moon which I have understood, but one more question relating to this.

You say Sha'baan is 30 days, then obviously Ramadhan has to be 29 days.  But it is in the Qura'an which says TO STRICTLY FAST 30 DAYS. Now can you advise in which Surah is this written and whether is it correct to determine both Sha'baan and Ramadhan as 30 days, because what we have been told to understand that the Islamic months are of 29 days and 30 days respectively.  Pls explain.

It is further been noticed that even the Saudis have established the Islamic Calendar which has been based on the rotation and circulation of the Moon and they too fast strictly for 30 days so why not the dawoodi bohras? 

Also what is the duration of the fast, because places like Europe and the Americas, in winter day are short (Approx 7 hrs) and in summer long day (Approx 16 hrs) whilst in the Middle East and other countries of the world, days are standard (Approx 12 hrs). Pls clarify on this as well.

Anxiously awaiting your answer by return.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our brother for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Does Qur’an say to fast for 30 days?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your comment: You say Sha'baan is 30 days, then obviously Ramadhan has to be 29 days.  But it is in the Qura'an which says TO STRICTLY FAST 30 DAYS. Now can you advise in which Surah is this written and whether is it correct to determine both Sha'baan and Ramadhan as 30 days, because what we have been told to understand that the Islamic months are of 29 days and 30 days respectively.  Pls explain.

There is no aayah in the Holy Quran which states exactly how many days one has to fast. The aayahs state to fast for a fixed number of days in one place and the whole month of Ramadan in another aayah, but there is no ayah that gives the exact number of days.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 verse 183-184: O Believers, the Fast has been made obligatory on you just as it was prescribed for the followers of the Prophets before you. It is expected that this will produce piety in you. The fast is to be observed for a fixed number of days.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 verse 185: Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran was sent down. This Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of clear teachings which show the right way and are a Criterion of the truth and falsehood. Therefore from now on, whosoever witnesses it, it is obligatory on him to fast the whole month.

Also, please note that it is incorrect to state that Shabaan is always 30 days. An Islamic month can either be 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Your comment: It is further been noticed that even the Saudis have established the Islamic Calendar which has been based on the rotation and circulation of the Moon and they too fast strictly for 30 days so why not the dawoodi bohras? 

I do not have any knowledge of what the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has done regarding the Islamic Calender. The Holy Quran and the traditions of the Prophet are our guides for Islam and not the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Holy Quran guides us to fast the whole month of Ramadan, and we know from the traditions of the Prophet (saws) that he fasted along with the muslims in Ramadan 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.

It is absolutely incorrect to state that the muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fast exactly 30 days in Ramadan every year. The beginning and ending of Ramadan is always according to the visible sighting of the moon. Thus the month of Ramadan is sometimes 29 days and sometimes 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon, even in Saudi Arabia. Your statement that muslims in Saudia all fast exactly 30 days is not true.

Your comment: Also what is the duration of the fast, because places like Europe and the Americas, in winter day are short (Approx 7 hrs) and in summer long day (Approx 16 hrs) whilst in the Middle East and other countries of the world, days are standard (Approx 12 hrs). Pls clarify on this as well.

The duration of the fast is determined from the Holy Quran

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 187: … You are permitted to eat and drink during the nights of the fast months, until you can discern the white streak of dawn from the blackness of night. Then (abstain from eating, drinking, etc. and) complete your fast till nightfall.

The guidance and wisdom behind the hours of the fast in Europe and America compared to the Middle East is known only to Allah. We are allowed to search for the guidance and wisdom behind every commandment to increase our faith. Since Islam is based on a lunar system, Ramadan, in a span of 33 years will come in every season and duration, so that one is able to experience all the seasons and durations while fasting. In any case, wherever we are, we are commanded to fast from dawn to dusk by Allah in the Holy Quran.

May Allah increase our faith and guide you and us all to the Straight Path of Islam.

May Allah guide you and us all to the Siraat al-Mustaqeem

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan