The punishment for breaking the fast of Ramadan without a valid excuse

01/08/2010| IslamWeb

Abu Umaamah Al-Baahili, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,‘Whilst I was sleeping, two men came to me and took hold of my upper arm, and took me to a rugged mountain. They said, ‘Climb up.’ I said, ‘I can not.’ They said, ‘We will make it easy for you.’ So, I scaled it until I was at the top of the mountain. There, I heard loud voices, so, I asked, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘These are the screams of the people of Hell.’ Then, I was taken [to where] I saw people suspended by their ankles, with the corners of their mouths torn and pouring blood. I inquired, ‘Who are these?’ They answered, ‘These are those who broke their fast before it was time.’” [An-Nasaa’I; Al-Haakim ruled it as Saheeh]

Benefits and rulings derived from this Hadeeth:

1.     This Hadeeth proves that the torment of the grave is a fact, proven by the Quran and Sunnah, as well as the consensus of the Ummah (Muslim nation). Imaam Ahmad said, “The punishment of the grave is true and none can deny it, except a deviant misleading person.”

2.     The torment in the grave is for the soul and body, in a manner known only to Allah The Almighty. Ibn Al-Qayyim said: “The view of the righteous predecessors and senior scholars of this Ummah is that when a person dies, he will either be in a state of bliss or torment, and it will affect both soul and body. After the soul has departed the body, it is either blessed or punished; sometimes, it is connected to the body and both face the delight or torture. Then, when the Day of Resurrection arrives, the souls are returned to their bodies and they will [together] rise from their graves to meet the Lord of the worlds.”

3.     The Prophet, , saw some scenes of the torment of the grave in a vision here. It is known that the visions of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, are true and constitute part of the revelation.

4.     This Hadeeth clarifies the severity of the torment of the grave and stresses that one should keep away from its causes and do his best to save himself from it.

5.     It implies a serious warning to whoever intentionally breaks his fast during the month of Ramadan without a valid excuse. The Hadeeth also proves that such an act is a major grave sin, entailing a severe punishment.

6.     If this is the punishment for breaking the fast before sunset, then what about for not fasting during all or some days of Ramadan, without a valid excuse? Hence, whoever commits this major grave sin must repent immediately to Allah The Almighty, so as not to face this severe torment in the grave.