Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to make up what she missed from the month of Ramadan in advance, i.e., before the arrival of the month of Ramadan, in comparison to the permissibility of paying zakat al-fitr in advance for several years?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to make up, i.e., fast, what may be missed from the month of Ramadan in advance, i.e., before the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, in comparison to the permissibility of paying zakat al-fitr in advance for several years out of fear of drought or poverty?
The Shaykh : This question is very strange. No one obligates a person to fast Ramadan before the arrival of Ramadan, just as no one obligates a person to pray the Zuhr prayer before the sun passes its zenith. If a person were to fast Ramadan before its arrival, this fasting would not benefit him, nor would Allah reward him for it, because it is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and it is closer to sin than to safety. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sahih Muslim 1082a All of this is out of fear that a person might be cautious and advance Ramadan by one or two days.
As for comparing it to zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible to pay zakat al-fitr in advance, even if one fears drought. Rather, zakat al-fitr for any month of Ramadan is not paid except one or two days before the festival. If a man were to pay his zakat al-fitr for this year in the middle of Ramadan, his zakat would not be sufficient according to the stronger position. So what can be said about one who pays zakat al-fitr in advance for several years? No one says this, and I did not think anyone would ask this question. However, in any case, if someone asks, it is obligatory to answer him.
And thus we say: It is not permissible for anyone to fast Ramadan before its arrival, and it is not permissible for anyone to pay zakat al-fitr in advance before the festival except by one or two days only.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : This question is very strange. No one obligates a person to fast Ramadan before the arrival of Ramadan, just as no one obligates a person to pray the Zuhr prayer before the sun passes its zenith. If a person were to fast Ramadan before its arrival, this fasting would not benefit him, nor would Allah reward him for it, because it is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and it is closer to sin than to safety. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Do not observe fast for a day, or two days ahead of Ramadan except a person who is in the habit of observing a particular fast; he may fast on that day.
لا تقدموا رمضان بصوم يوم ولا يومين ، إلا رجل كان يصوم صوماً فليصمهAs for comparing it to zakat al-fitr, it is not permissible to pay zakat al-fitr in advance, even if one fears drought. Rather, zakat al-fitr for any month of Ramadan is not paid except one or two days before the festival. If a man were to pay his zakat al-fitr for this year in the middle of Ramadan, his zakat would not be sufficient according to the stronger position. So what can be said about one who pays zakat al-fitr in advance for several years? No one says this, and I did not think anyone would ask this question. However, in any case, if someone asks, it is obligatory to answer him.
And thus we say: It is not permissible for anyone to fast Ramadan before its arrival, and it is not permissible for anyone to pay zakat al-fitr in advance before the festival except by one or two days only.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.