Permission Regarding Voluntary Fast
The observer of voluntary fasting is his own leader. That is
why he is permitted, if he so desires, to abort the fast. This is
the verdict of many scholars relying on the evidence of the fol-
lowing citations.
Umm Hanee (raa) related that,
“The Messenger of Allah entered into my quarters the
day that Makkah was conquered. He was offered water
to drink. He drank and passed it to me. I told him I was
fasting! The Messenger (saas) instructed. ‘The observer
of a voluntary fast is the leader of his own self. If he
wishes, he can continue the fast, and if he wants he can
break.’ ” (Ahmad)
Elsewhere, Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (raa) said,
“I invited the Messenger of Allah (saas). He came with
his companions. When the food was brought, a man re-
fused to eat. He said, ‘I am fasting.’ The Messenger of
Allah (saas) commented: ‘Your brother invited you and
he has taken the trouble and incurred the cost for your
sake. Break your fast and make it up with another day
if you want.’ ” (Bayhaqi)
These two ahadiths are evidence that the voluntary fast is dif-
ferent from the mandatory fast in that the observer is allowed
with or without a valid reason to abort the obligation of fasting.
However, the second report shows also that it is desired to
make up the aborted day.