FatwaFederal TerritoriesFasting
IRSYAD HUKUM KHAS RAMADHAN SIRI KE-160: ADAKAH SAH PUASA JIKA DINIATKAN JUGA UNTUK MENYIHATKAN BADAN?
Is a fast valid if it is intended sincerely for Allah and also with the hope of gaining bodily health?
Short answer
The fast remains valid when a person intends it sincerely for Allah and also hopes to gain physical health from it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum Edisi Ramadhan
- Topic
- Fasting
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The fast remains valid when a person intends it sincerely for Allah and also hopes to gain physical health from it. The ruling cites al-Suyuti and al-Qarafi, who held that such a secondary intention does not negate sincerity or harm the true objective of fasting, despite some scholarly disagreement. However, seeking worldly benefit may reduce the reward, and the main purpose of fasting is servitude to Allah and attaining taqwa. The hadith 'fast and you will be healthy' is not authentic in its chains, though its meaning is supported by scientific findings.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Tuntasnya, kami nyatakan bahawa sah puasa jika seseorang itu berniat ikhlas kerana Allah SWT, dan pada masa yang sama turut berhajat untuk memperoleh kesihatan tubuh badan daripada amalan puasa tersebut.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM KHAS RAMADHAN SIRI KE-160: ADAKAH SAH PUASA JIKA DINIATKAN JUGA UNTUK MENYIHATKAN BADAN?”, 20 April 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/edisi-ramadhan/4450-irsyad-al-fatwa-khas-ramadhan-siri-ke-160-adakah-sah-puasa-jika-diniatkan-juga-untuk-menyihatkan-badan. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/valid-fast-intending-health-benefits/