Breaking a Wajib Fast

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

What should I do if I broke a wajib fast? I intended to fast this Thursday but broke it halfway through. I am fasting as expiation right now, but I was wondering what I would do if I broke this, too.

Answer

I pray you are well.

Breaking a fast requires one to make up that fast and repentance – if it was not broken with a legitimate excuse. If you broke the fast that you were making up for another broken one, just make it up again on another day. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah)

Sometimes, it’s better to delay such fasts until winter when the days are shorter, and one is more likely to complete them. Do remain vigilant about turning to Allah with repentance if it occured without a valid reason. If you struggle with fasting, it may be better to engage in another act of worship that you can manage.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.