بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Does speaking lies, backbiting and gossiping invalidate the fast?
The Quraan and blessed Ahadeeth have certainly classified lies, backbiting and gossiping as repulsive transgressions and have also warned of severe punishment for such sins. Therefore, a Muslim keeping fast in particular should not commit any of these offences. Although these actions do not invalidate the fast from a Fiqhi point of view, they do however cause loss to the great reward and blessings of fasting promised by Allah Ta’aala.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to have said the following three Ahadeeth,
مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ
Allah Ta’aala has no want for one who forsakes food and drink (in fasting) but does not abstain from speaking or practicing lies and falsehood.
(Bukhari, Vol. 1, pg. 255, Hadeeth no. 1903, Published by Qadeemi Kutub Khana, Karachi)
الصيام جُنة ما لم يحرقها بكذب او غيبة
Fasting is a shield (and remains such) until it is not ruined by lies or gossiping.
ليس الصيام من الاكل و الشرب انما ا الصيام من اللغو و الرفث
Fasting doesn’t mean forsaking food and drink (only), it is to abandon foolish talk and obscenity.
(Amjadul Ahadeeth, Vol. 1, pg. 553, with reference to Kanzul Ummal, Hadeeth no.5883 and At-Targheeb wat Tarheeb, Vol. 2, pg. 147-8 respectively)
Sadrush Shariah Allama Amjad Ali (Allah be pleased with him) states, “Lies, gossiping, back-biting, swearing, foolish talk, causing distress to a person are all impermissible and prohibited, their prohibition in the state of fasting is more severe and if one commits any of these acts while fasting, the fast becomes Makrooh.”
(Bahare Shariat, Part 5, pg. 996, Published by Maktabatul Madina, Karachi)
So, a true fast is one wherein the person observing fast refrains from all wicked, unbecoming and lewd actions, conduct and speech.
And Allah and His Rasool know best.
Darul Iftaa
Islamic Lifestyle Solutions
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