What is the ruling on one who did not know about Ramadan until he woke up on its first day?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : If one fasts a day without intending to, does he have to make up that day?
The Shaykh : How did he fast, and what was his intention?
The questioner : He did not intend it.
The Shaykh : Is it possible for someone to fast without intending to?
The questioner : He woke up in the morning of Ramadan and did not know because he was sleeping and did not intend it.
The Shaykh : Meaning, he did not know that the day was from Ramadan, meaning on the first day of Ramadan?
The questioner : The first day of Ramadan.
The Shaykh : And he did not know?
The questioner : And he did not know.
The Shaykh : Except during the day?
The questioner : Except during the day.
The Shaykh : And he did not eat or drink?
The questioner : And he did not eat or drink.
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding this. Some say that he does not have to make up this day, but rather he should abstain from the time he learned of it, and there is no make-up fast required of him. This is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). Others said that he must make it up, and this is the more cautious and preferable position.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : If one fasts a day without intending to, does he have to make up that day?
The Shaykh : How did he fast, and what was his intention?
The questioner : He did not intend it.
The Shaykh : Is it possible for someone to fast without intending to?
The questioner : He woke up in the morning of Ramadan and did not know because he was sleeping and did not intend it.
The Shaykh : Meaning, he did not know that the day was from Ramadan, meaning on the first day of Ramadan?
The questioner : The first day of Ramadan.
The Shaykh : And he did not know?
The questioner : And he did not know.
The Shaykh : Except during the day?
The questioner : Except during the day.
The Shaykh : And he did not eat or drink?
The questioner : And he did not eat or drink.
The Shaykh : There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding this. Some say that he does not have to make up this day, but rather he should abstain from the time he learned of it, and there is no make-up fast required of him. This is the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). Others said that he must make it up, and this is the more cautious and preferable position.