Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) was asked a question regarding valid excuse for not being able to fast.

Shaikh mentioned an incident about Baba Najam Ahsan (Allah have mercy on him) who was a pious Sahib-e-Kashf (person with frequent unveiling). Towards the end of his life he was unable to fast during Ramadan. One day he was feeling slightly better so he decided to give it a try. Later during the day he became so sick that he had to break his fast. The entire next day he was seen slapping his cheeks several times saying:

“O Allah! Please forgive me for fasting! I made a mistake!”

Shaikh explained that first it should be verified whether the Rukhsa (leeway) given in Shariah applies to a particular situation or not. If it is confirmed that Shariah has given Rukhsa (leeway) in that situation then the leeway should be acted upon wholeheartedly. We should not show our bravery in front of Allah Ta’ala.

He thereafter mentioned the following Hadith:

ما خير رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بين أمرين قط إلا أخذ أيسرهما

“Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) was given a choice between two matters, he would (always) choose the easier one”

He added that when we act upon a leeway the intention behind it is ease and comfort, but when the Noble Messenger (Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him) acted upon an easier option it was to display his abdiyat (slave-hood) towards Allah Ta’ala.

Ramadan 1438, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani #9