Q: I knew that fasting of Friday was incorrect. I base my opinion on websites of Jordanian astronomers and scholars that are educated on this subject. Due to pressure from family and culture I fasted with a different intention. So my question is, can I fast when I am in doubt like this Friday. I ask this question because I am told it is more rewarding to fast one extra day than not fast at all. Please answer salam

A: To intentionally fast on an incorrect day is a sin. In general, to fast on a wrong day is makrooh, so much so that to even keep a former (missed) fast or a nafl fast would be makrooh if one is not used to fasting on that given day.

A person thinking that since others are fasting, I too am going to fast, however with a different intention is also contributing to incorrect doings.  Yet, if a person fasted a nafl fast (or qadha) that s/he used to always fast on that given day and it so turns out that it was indeed Ramadaan on that given day, then in such a situation the nafl fast would be converted into the fast of Ramadaan. This shows the mercy of Allah, whilst also showing the severity of doing a ‘supposed good thing’ in the wrong manner.

The above makes clear; to fast merely because others are fasting despite the moon not being sighted is a mockery towards fasting and current data on science, and to do so with the thought that Allah (SWT) would accept such a fast is sheer ignorance towards the rules of fasting and moon sighting. Likewise, fasting because others are fasting is not a fast for Allah; it is a fast for humans. Such a person would be called upon to ask ‘others’ for the reward of fasting on the Day of Judgment. Also, to follow people and not Allah is a form of shirk, may Allah protect us from this adverse behavior, Amen.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.