Comments on: Is it permissible for a student to break the fast to study?

By: Omar

Omar — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 19:05:27 +0000

I myself am in the middle of PhD exams and have found it difficult to focus if I am fasting especially as these fasts can be long (16 hours). Given that my financial support and livelihood comes from my PhD program (no tuition, stipend, health insurance, retirement, etc) I find it useful that I can break the fast if needed just to be able to focus on preparations. Failing these exams will result in me being dropped from my program and all the financial support and livelihood that I have. In addition, my work does not entail exam preparation but also work in the lab which takes up much of my day (up to 10 hours at times)

By: Cherine

Cherine — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 16:09:34 +0000

ASA to all,
In the east so many circumstances are different and accommodations are made.
Even when Ramadan falls in the summer months, countries like KSA and Egypt experience Maghrib at 6 or 7 pm. Whereas here in the west Maghrib began at 9:15 in Michigan and 10:00 pm in London, U.K. Waking up or suhoor is often difficult due to the short time frame between Maghrib and fair.

In the east people are going to work at a later hour… 10-11 am, many countries have laws where during this holy month a person who is fasting cannot be made to work more than 6 hour days, and no examinations are given to students at this time, or heavy homework load.

It is unreasonable to expect that students can focus , especially if they lo work long hours outside of school. No one WANTS to break their fast during Ramadan, but these summer months have been exhausting, subhan’Allah, for those of us who have no accommodations to ease the pace of the day and the demands of ones focus to prepare for examinations. My professors are not going to postpone my numerous exams until after Ramadan and the term is over. I pay $3500 per graduate course to improve the life of my family and I wait all year for Ramadan to arrive.

I am no scholar, but neglecting the reality of life in non-Muslim countries on the fasting person is not in the Islamic spirit in my humble opinion. There must be some balance of the reality of modern life.

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:16:38 +0000

AsA Imam Suhaib,

Is it OK for students to not fast the day of the exam if it is in Ramadan? Studying may not be a problem, but I know for exams like the MCAT, it can really drain you, and having food in your system is ncessary to get through this exam. Studying is probably not an issue.

By: masjid abidin

masjid abidin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:05:26 +0000

[…] JAI, Masoed Abidin said. … imam of the historic Mecca Masjid here, Moulana Abdullah Qureshi Al …Is it permissible for a student to break the fast so he/she …The opinion of Ibn Abidin was mentioned above and I think that is sufficient. … I went and met him […]

By: Abu Layla

Abu Layla — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:39:38 +0000

Interesting to note that in some parts of the world Muslims are forced by the oppressive governments *not* to fast in Ramadhan. Meanwhile, we given the opportunity, choose not to. Worth reflecting upon:

[quote]One rule that officials in some towns seem especially intent on enforcing is the ban on students’ fasting. Supporters of this policy say students need to eat to study properly.[/quote]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/18/asia/19xinjiang.php

By: Haq

Haq — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:17:36 +0000

Salaam
Br Hassan what do you mean when you say you are a deobandi?
just curious…

By: Hassan

Hassan — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:03:53 +0000

Who is shaykh bukhari from birmingham. I am a deobandi and have never heard of him. The light of birmingham is shaykh zahir mahmood and the real man of birmingham was shaykh riyad ul haq but then they kicked him out. Shaykh riyad is the man.

By: Haq

Haq — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:20:31 +0000

br Saif i like your interrogative method WHILST maintaining Adab.many brothers lack this today!

Dont know about the Malikis on this, but the ahnaf say its “travelling” per se that is the Illah hence they dont do qiyas on this as its not possible.

Peace
May Allah accept all our prayers in Ramadan

By: Saif

Saif — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:33:41 +0000

Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah.

JazakAllah Imam Suhaib for some very valuable lessons. Please forgive me for any mistakes on my part. And please remember me in your du’as. InshaAllah, I will be doing the same.

May Allah raise your station in knowledge and wisdom. Ameen.

By: Suhaib Webb

Suhaib Webb — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:36 +0000

Asalamu alaykum,

Saif:

1. The Hanbalis and the Shafi’s hold that the ‘Ila for the rukhsa in travel is the “hardship and not the travel itself.” [see Encyclopedia of Fiqh Kuwait Ministry of Religious Endowments under the travelers prayer.]

As for your question regarding the sick, aren’t the sick excused from many of the pillars of prayer as well as her conditions? I don’t know about joining the prayers due to sickness, but I know that there is the axiom that says, “Orders are based on ability.” The Prophet (sa) said in a sound hadith, “What I’ve ordered you to do, do it as best you can.” Ibn Taymiyyah (ra) commenting on this says, “Like the sick……….if he is unable to complete his prayers correctly, then his prayer is sound according to his ability.” Majmu’ al-Fatawa vol. 3. Pg. 125.

2. You are asking for a fatwa and I don’t feel qualified to answer so I will say, “I don’t know.”

3. I would rather you talk with Sh. al-Bukhari yourself. I went and met him in the Birmingham Masjid, sat with him and asked him questions. I don’t feel it is my right, since I’m just a simple beginner, to speak on his behalf.
Suhaib