Chapter on Fasting (Sawm)

Fasting the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam, obligatory upon every adult Muslim who is sane, healthy, and resident. Ibn Abi Zayd al-Qayrawani outlines the Maliki positions on fasting with characteristic clarity, covering the conditions for its obligation, the pillars that constitute the fast, and the extensive list of matters that invalidate it.

The Maliki school holds that the month of Ramadan is established by one of two means: the sighting of the new crescent moon by a reliable witness, or the completion of thirty days of Sha'ban if the moon cannot be seen. Unlike some other schools, the Maliki position historically does not accept astronomical calculation as a substitute for actual moon sighting, though scholars differ on this in the contemporary period.

The conditions that make fasting obligatory are: Islam, legal maturity (bulugh), sanity, the physical capacity to fast, residence (as the traveler is excused), and, for women, the absence of menstruation and post-natal bleeding. A person who is ill and fears harm from fasting, or a traveler on a journey of the distance that permits prayer shortening, is permitted to break the fast and must make up the missed days later.

The pillars of the Ramadan fast according to the Maliki school are: the intention (niyyah), which must be made before dawn for each day of obligatory fasting (a single intention at the start of the month does not suffice for the entire month in the Maliki view), and abstention from all invalidators from the break of dawn (fajr sadiq) until sunset.

The invalidators of the fast are divided into those requiring expiation (kaffarat) and those requiring only make-up (qada'). Intentional sexual intercourse during the day of Ramadan requires both make-up and the major expiation: freeing a slave, or if unable, fasting sixty consecutive days, or if unable, feeding sixty poor persons. Intentional eating and drinking during the fast requires make-up only, according to the Maliki school, though some within the school apply the full expiation to deliberate eating as well.

Additional invalidators include: intentional vomiting, menstruation or post-natal bleeding, apostasy (which invalidates all deeds), and reaching adulthood during the day (though the minor is encouraged to fast). The Maliki school holds that unintentional eating due to forgetfulness does not break the fast, in line with the hadith indicating that Allah feeds and waters the one who forgets.

Voluntary fasts (nafl) are highly encouraged in Islam. Among the most recommended are: the six days of Shawwal following Ramadan, the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah) for those not performing Hajj, the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram), and Mondays and Thursdays. The Maliki school also recognizes the value of fasting the white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month).