Kindly verify the following narrations please:
“If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it.”
“If a person does not fast for a single day in Ramadan, he cannot earn the reward of this single day, even if he fasts all the year round instead of it.”
JazakAllah khayran
Answer
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘One who omits the fast of even one day in Ramadan without any concession or without being ill, he would not be able make up for it, if he were to fast for the rest of his life .’
(Sunan Nasai, Hadith: 3265, 3271, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 2388, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 723 and others. See Targhib, vol.2 pg.108, and At-Taysir, vol.2 pg.403)
This Hadith is slightly weak, but suitable for the purpose of warning against a sin. It is also supported by similar statements have been reported from Sayyiduna ‘Ali and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu’anhuma)
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 9877, 9878)
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has also cited the Hadith in the title of a chapter in Sahih Bukhari while indicating towards its weakness. A Hadith like this is generally understood to be weak, but acceptable, or else He (Imam Bukhari) would have not merely indicated to its weakness. He would have emphatically dismissed it, if it was totally unreliable.
(Muqaddimah ibnus Salah, pg. 25)
Note: This Hadith should not be misunderstood to refer to excusing one of the qada fast. The purpose of this Hadith is to explain that the extent of barakah, reward etc that is achieved in Ramadan can never be matched by doing the deed outside Ramadan. Like is the case with offering salah in congregation; its reward and effect can never be matched, even if one repeats the salah twenty five times or more. (See Mushkilul Athar of Tahawi, vol.4 pg.180, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol.9 pg.204 and Badhlul Majhud, vol.8 pg.569)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar