Is it mandatory for outdoor workers to fast?

Labourers who are forced to work in the heat of the sun and those doing arduous jobs must also try to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, according to Dr. Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, Grand Mufti and head of the Fatwa Department at the Dubai Fatwa Centre of Islamic Affairs and Charity Department of Dubai.

He said street workers, farmers, construction labourers, drivers, cleaners and municipality staff must try to fast during the holy month.

But if a labourer finds it difficult to complete fasting due to intensity of thirst or hunger, he is allowed to break his fast, Dr. Al Haddad said.

Emirates 24|7 tried to find out the Islamic view on the permissibility of thousands of outdoor workers in UAE not fasting because of intense heat and humidity during daylight hours.

Dr. Al Haddad said the labourer should then re-fast the missing day when possible before the onset of next year’s Ramadan. He added that this was endorsed by scholars.

Scholars emphasise that fasting is one of the five cornerstones of Islam and, as members of the community, labourers must also abide by Sharia rules as much as possible, he said.

According to the holy Quran Verse 16 at Taghabun: “So fear Allah as much as you can and listen and obey and spend (in the way of Allah); it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is they who will be successful.”

Dr Al Haddad added that Allah has exempted those who are suffering from diseases and travellers who are unable or find it difficult to fast due to hardship. However, Allah has enjoined upon them to re-fast later for number of days they could not fast, according to Sura Al Baqra,  he added.

According to Verse 184, “Fasting is  limited for a number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of days are to be made up. And upon those who are able to fast, but with hardship, there is a ransom (substitute) of feeding a poor person each day. And whoever volunteers in excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”

Dr. Al Haddad said hardship is something the fasting person must judge for himself. He should decide whether or not he can endure fasting.

He added that a doctor’s opinion is not needed for assessing hardship. The fasting person is the only person who can decide on it.

He also said labourers who are not fasting should eat in private and should not do so publicly or in front of fasting Muslims.

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