Q 2: People in the Sahara may witness Ramadan during (Part No. 9; Page No. 146) the summer season. It becomes too difficult or even impossible for them to observe Sawm (Fast). However, this will last for many years so how can those people observe Sawm? What should the elderly- who can neither observe Sawm nor feed needy people do?

A: When Ramadan comes, it becomes obligatory upon every healthy, resident, and Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) Muslim to observe Sawm. Allah (Exalted be He) states: So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. It is obligatory to observe Sawm even if the weather is hot, because Sawm of Ramadan is a Rukn (pillar) of Islam. Those who observe Sawm and then suffer from thirst that may cause them to die are permitted to break their Sawm by having the amount of water that makes them survive. Then, they should abstain from all that breaks Sawm during the rest of the day. This day should be made up for on another day, and Allah knows best.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.