Is My Qada’ Fast Valid If I Accidentally Broke It One Minute Early?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I made a qada‘ fast yesterday. For breaking fast, I always take the maghrib time from the latest of my nearby mosques, to be cautious. This was at 9.27 yesterday (other mosques said around 9.20), but I misread it.

I’m not sure if I broke my fast at 9.26 or 9.28. Is my fast valid in that case?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

As you were already following a later, more cautious time for the entry of Maghrib, your fast is valid — and in any case, you were unsure whether it was 9.26 or 9.28. Certainty is not removed by doubt.

It is fine to be cautious and break fast a minute or two later; however, one should not be excessive in this matter.

Hasten to Break Fast

One should not delay breaking fast excessively out of a mistaken sense of piety or fervor.

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: Allah Mighty and Majestic said: “The most beloved among my servants are those who hasten to break their fast.” [Tirmidhi]

Then, we return to the important fiqh principle: “Certainty is not lifted by a doubt,” and certainty is only lifted by another certainty. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Ashbah wa’l Nadha’ir; Majallat al-Ahkam al-‘Adiliyya]

Allah Most High accept your makeups (qada) and may He give you the best of this world and the next.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

What Should One Do If They Doubt the Validity of Their Fast? — Shaykh Abdul Rahim Reasat explains how to deal with doubts regarding the validity of one’s fast.

Guidance on Breaking the Fast: Importance of Timing — Shaykh Faraz notes that if one breaks fast deliberately or by accident, one still refrains as a fasting person would until the fast ends, as a sign of contrition.

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.