FATAWAS FOR RAMADHAN

By: Allama Abdul Aziz Ben Abdullah Ben Baz

Commencing Fast in a State of Ceremonial Impurity

Question: Can a person in a state of impurity (Janabat) fast, even if he delays washing his body (ghusl) until after dawn break? Is it true that a fasting person must wash his body not later than midday?

Answer: If a person wakes up in the morning of a day of fasting and finds himself in the state of ceremonial impurity i.e. Janabat, his fasting remains valid. He needs only to have his major ablution, i.e. ghusl. The same applies if he gets into the state of ceremonial impurity during the night and delays having a shower to remove it. That does not invalidate his fasting. Obviously, he may miss Fajr prayer if he delays having a bath.

That such a person should take his shower before midday is preferable, but if he does not, the delay does not invalidate his fast. The preference here is only to take care of his prayers. Otherwise, his fast remains valid. While missing a prayer does not invalidate fasting, it is strongly censurable. The two acts of worship are treated separately, but missing either one is an act that should not be done by a Muslim.