WORSHIP | Fasting | Other issues pertaining to the fast |

What are the different categories/ranks in fasting?

Question: I have heard there are (different) categories/ranks in fasting, what is the truth of this statement? And is there a specific reward for each?

Response: By categories/ranks, if you mean obligatory (fard) and supererogatory (nafl), then this is correct. The obligatory is better than the supererogatory. As for the degree of excellence and reward, then the reward is with Allaah. With respect to those fasting, then here there is a big difference according to what the person does whilst fasting with respect to adhering to good Islaamic manners and behaviour and lack of doing so. Also, according to that which he has in his heart in terms of sincerity (ikhlaas).

Shakyh Ibn al-'Uthaymeen

Fataawa Ramadhaan - Volume 2, Page 744, Fatwa No. 755;

Fataawa ash-Shaykh Muhammad as-Saalih al-Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 562

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Published: 30 December 1999