Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (6/436)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

If someone were to ask: May I break my fast based on a preponderant likelihood—that is, if I strongly believe that the sun has set, may I break my fast?

The answer is: Yes. The evidence for this is what is established in Sahih al-Bukhari from Asma bint Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: “We broke our fast on a cloudy day during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then the sun appeared.” (1) It is known that they did not break their fast with certainty, for had they done so with certainty, the sun would not have appeared. Rather, they broke their fast based on the preponderant likelihood that it had set; then the clouds cleared and the sun appeared.

“Upon fresh dates; if they are unavailable, then dried dates; and if they are unavailable, then water.”

His statement, “upon fresh dates,” means that it is sunnah to break one’s fast with fresh dates. Fresh dates are soft dates that have not dried out. In earlier times, this was only possible at a particular season of the year. Today, however, one can break the fast with fresh dates at any time, praise be to Allah.

His statement, “if they are unavailable, then dried dates,” means that if fresh dates are unavailable, he should break his fast with dried dates, or with dates that have been packed away and compressed. Such dates are stored until they become like cheese, clinging together.

His statement, “if they are unavailable, then water,” means that if dried dates are unavailable, he should break his fast with water, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates; if he cannot find any, then let him break it with water, for it is purifying.” (2) It is also authentically reported from him, peace and blessings be upon him, in the hadith of

(1) Its source has previously been cited on p. 333. (2) Narrated by Ahmad (4/17-18); Abu Dawud, Book of Fasting, chapter: “What One Should Break the Fast With” (2355); al-Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, chapter: “What Has Been Reported Regarding What Is Recommended for Breaking the Fast With” (695), who graded it authentic; al-Nasai in al-Sunan al-Kubra (3300), al-Risalah edition; Ibn Majah, Book of Fasting, chapter: “What Has Been Reported Regarding What Is Recommended for Breaking the Fast With” (1699); Ibn Khuzaymah (2067); Ibn Hibban (3514); and al-Hakim (1/430), on the authority of Salman ibn Amir.

فإن قال قائل: هل لي أن أفطر بغلبة الظن، بمعنى أنه إذا غلب على ظني أن الشمس غربت، فهل لي أن أفطر؟ فالجواب: نعم، ودليل ذلك ما ثبت في صحيح البخاري عن أسماء بنت أبي بكر ﵄ قالت: «أفطرنا في يوم غيم على عهد النبي ﷺ، ثم طلعت الشمس» (١) ومعلوم أنهم لم يفطروا عن علم، لأنهم لو أفطروا عن علم ما طلعت الشمس، لكن أفطروا بناءً على غلبة الظن أنها غابت، ثم انجلى الغيم فطلعت الشمس. عَلَى رُطَبٍ، فَإِنْ عُدِمَ فَتَمْرٌ، فَإِنْ عُدِمَ فَمَاءٌ. قوله: «على رطب» أي سن كون الفطور على رطب، والرطب هو التمر اللين الذي لم ييبس، وكان هذا في زمن مضى لا يتسنى إلا في وقت معين من السنة، أما الآن ففي كل وقت يمكن أن تفطر على رطب والحمد لله. قوله: «فإن عدم فتمر» أي إن عدم الرطب فليفطر على تمر وهو اليابس، أو المجبن، والمجبن هو المكنوز الذي صار كالجبن مرتبطاً بعضه ببعض. قوله: «فإن عدم فماء» أي: إن عدم التمر فليفطر على ماء؛ لأن النبي ﷺ قال: «إذا أفطر أحدكم فليفطر على تمر، فإن لم يجد فليفطر على ماء فإنه طهور» (٢) وثبت عنه ﷺ من حديث

(١) سبق تخريجه ص (٣٣٣). (٢) أخرجه أحمد (٤/ ١٧، ١٨)؛ وأبو داود في الصيام/ باب ما يفطر عليه (٢٣٥٥)؛ والترمذي في الصوم/ باب ما جاء ما مستحب عليه الإفطار (٦٩٥) وصححه؛ والنسائي في الكبرى (٣٣٠٠) ط/الرسالة، وابن ماجه في الصيام / باب ما جاء على ما يستحب الفطر (١٦٩٩)؛ وصححه ابن خزيمة (٢٠٦٧)؛ وابن حبان (٣٥١٤)؛ والحاكم (١/ ٤٣٠) عن سلمان بن عامر ﵁.