الجواب :

Answer

 

All praise is due to Allah.

 

Breaking the fast intentionally during the daytime of Ramadhān without a valid reason is a great sin and a major sin among the major sins in Islām. There is no doubt that fasting Ramadhān is a pillar from the pillars of Islam and a clear obligation. 

 

A person who breaks their fast on purpose does so either due to laziness/weakness/desires, or due to seeing it as a permissible act (going against the ruling of Allah)

 

One who finds himself in this position has in reality left the fold of Islām and must re-enter Islām by uttering the shahādah and making a sincere repentance.

 

For such a person, there is no repayment of fasting due, as they weren't classed as a Muslim at the time. 

 

As for the other category, the one who breaks the fast on purpose without a valid reason but out of laziness or desire, then this person is a sinful Muslim. What is obligatory on them is to make up the fast after having repented, regretted, and made a firm resolution not to return to this major sin again. After having repented, the person makes up the fast to free themselves from the sin they fell into of breaking the fast.

 

As for expiation, then this is not due as expiation has only been legislated in one specific scenario which is for the one who breaks their fast during the daytime of Ramadhān due to intercourse. As for breaking the fast by eating/drinking or not fasting at all in the first place, then the only obligation is to make up the fast.

 

The questioner mentioned 5 years ago. It is important to note that whether 5 years or a long period of time has passed, this is the right of Allah and it must be repaid whatever the case.

 

Allah knows best. 

 

And all praise is due to Allah.

Transcript of Sheikh Abd al-Haqq Turkmāni's answer

27 May 2024 | 19 Dhul-Qa'dah 1445