The Ruling on Fasting by Imitating Others in the Residence
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh! I was brought to the residence and found a large number of young men fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and the white days of every month, so I did the same as them. I did the same as them, and although I feel that my action contains some element of imitation and seeking approval, seeking the approval of the workers in the residence, even though I intend to improve my intention in this matter, is this mocking the religion and hypocrisy?
Answer:
What the questioner mentioned, that the brothers in the residence fast on Mondays and Thursdays and fast three days of every month or the white days, is a sign of good. This is glad tidings, a sign of good, because if they are keen on the recommended practices (sunnah), then this is evidence of their concern for the obligatory acts, a fortiori. The one who is keen on the recommended practices is keen on the obligatory acts, a fortiori. And in this is training in obedience and upbringing in obedience, and this is something that brings joy. May Allah reward those in charge of this residence with the best reward, for they encouraged you to fast these days of the week and of the month, because in this is upbringing in good and nurturing in righteousness and obedience. And this is the obligatory thing. That the youth of Muslims be raised in obedience, in righteousness, and in mindfulness of Allah.
As for what the questioner mentioned, may Allah grant him understanding, that he began fasting by following orders and imitating the brothers in this residence, this is a good action. This is imitation in good, imitation in good. This is fine. What is prohibited is imitation in evil. What is prohibited is imitation in evil. As for imitation in good, this is good. This is good and a blessing from Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, upon the questioner and others and upon us all, that we should improve our intentions and purposes in order that the reward be magnified.
A person may, at first, fast out of social courtesy, but then good enters his heart, and then he does this out of love and obedience. He trains himself in this matter. This is a good and fine thing, and we encourage it, and we call to it, and we hope that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, will magnify your rewards and reward you for it.
The questioner says: Honorable Shaykh! I was brought to the residence and found a large number of young men fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and the white days of every month, so I did the same as them. I did the same as them, and although I feel that my action contains some element of imitation and seeking approval, seeking the approval of the workers in the residence, even though I intend to improve my intention in this matter, is this mocking the religion and hypocrisy?
Answer:
What the questioner mentioned, that the brothers in the residence fast on Mondays and Thursdays and fast three days of every month or the white days, is a sign of good. This is glad tidings, a sign of good, because if they are keen on the recommended practices (sunnah), then this is evidence of their concern for the obligatory acts, a fortiori. The one who is keen on the recommended practices is keen on the obligatory acts, a fortiori. And in this is training in obedience and upbringing in obedience, and this is something that brings joy. May Allah reward those in charge of this residence with the best reward, for they encouraged you to fast these days of the week and of the month, because in this is upbringing in good and nurturing in righteousness and obedience. And this is the obligatory thing. That the youth of Muslims be raised in obedience, in righteousness, and in mindfulness of Allah.
As for what the questioner mentioned, may Allah grant him understanding, that he began fasting by following orders and imitating the brothers in this residence, this is a good action. This is imitation in good, imitation in good. This is fine. What is prohibited is imitation in evil. What is prohibited is imitation in evil. As for imitation in good, this is good. This is good and a blessing from Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, upon the questioner and others and upon us all, that we should improve our intentions and purposes in order that the reward be magnified.
A person may, at first, fast out of social courtesy, but then good enters his heart, and then he does this out of love and obedience. He trains himself in this matter. This is a good and fine thing, and we encourage it, and we call to it, and we hope that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, will magnify your rewards and reward you for it.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، محاضرات في العقيدة والدعوة-030-الشباب والاستهزاء بالدين|صالح الفوزان|كبار العلماء — youtube.com (29:51)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.