Can my non-Muslim friend fast for one day in Ramadan
Pakistani men breaking their fast at Iftar time in Ramadan
My non-muslim friend asked if he could keep a fast for one day during Ramadan. He wanted to feel what muslims feel. Also he wanted to keep fast as a mark of respect for a muslim friend of his. I told him that I'll ask someone and then let him know but I also told him that muslims keep fast for the love of God and it can't be for love of any person. Plus I told him its not about remaining without food for a day. It's about praising our Lord. He asked me if Islam will allow him to fast. I told him that he's a non-muslim so I dont know if Islamic laws will apply to him or whether it's even a question of Islam allowing or not. Anyways I'm a lay man. So its better if any knowledgeable person helps me in this, but please asap as Ramadan is coming and I need to answer him. Hope I won't be disappointed.
-nimfeo
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Salaams,
Fasting didn't start with the advent of Islam. Fasting has been a religious act practiced by several religions both before and after the time of Prophet Muhammad (saws). As such, someone doesn't need to be a Muslim to fast, nor do they need to do it during Ramadan.
If a non-Muslim fasts during a day of Ramadan, what Muslim is going to tell him, "Hey! You can't do that! This is our Holy month and this is our practice!" Wouldn't that sound silly?
I think the better question, and perhaps the question your friend may truly be asking is: Will his fast matter in the eyes of Allah since he is not a Muslim?
Honestly, Allah knows what we don't. There are some who do certain spiritual things and it is counted toward them because in the end, they were brought to right guidance by Allah. And there are some who are wasting their time doing many spiritual things, because ultimately they are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Your friend says that he wants to fast so he can "feel what Muslims feel". If I were you, my response would be this: Even if you fast one day, or even the whole month of Ramadan, it's no guarantee you will "feel what Muslims feel" at all, because of the simple fact you are not a Muslim. Only a Muslim can feel like a Muslim, fasting or eating, during Ramadan or during Rabi Al Awaal. If he wants to feel like a Muslim, ask him what is keeping him from actually becoming Muslim? What are his questions, his concerns, his fears? Maybe you will be able to help him understand things better so that he will actually take Shahadah, and then he can truly and fully fast and experience Ramadan like a Muslim!
-Amy
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
ASA!
I dont see why not, before I welcomed Islam into my life I prayed like every muslim, I did wudu like every muslim, I avoided any bad behaviors and pork just like every muslim. And YES, I certainly fasted for the entire month of Ramadan, or at least I tried for the month. Allhamdullilah it helped me. So in regards to your friend, I dont see why not. He is not doing anything wrong, and who knows what can happen next! 🙂
AMIRA
Nimfeo your question has been answered but read this site, hopefully you aren't a girl and this boy is something either of you would want to be more than a 'friend.' Avoid the emotional attachment before it happens
Sure, your friend can fast. Islamic 'ibadah is a powerful thing and can affect a person's soul. I once knew a non-Muslim who was taught how to make wudu', and he became Muslim because of that. Other people have converted to Islam as a result of hearing the Quran recited, or hearing the adhaan. I think it's wonderful that your friend wants to understand Islam and Muslims better. So yes, he can do so unconditionally.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Im 12 only 12 i read all these comments and i think it all tells you that your friend can fast and for his sake he can also convert if he wants to be a true muslim because only those you want to and truly believe in allah have respect.
Good Luck!
We have interfaith day at our colleges all the time on what ever population of religions is will to be open and host it. There have been people during ramzan that and I mean a group of people. There is no harm in it. Its a simple practice of self improvement and purification process.
It gives you a better understanding of the world you know there are people out there in the world that are fasting everyday and isn't because they are muslims and its the month of ramzan its because that what their daily life is about. Those people have no choice in the matter you could break your fast and eat or drink something. They can't.
Hello
This is very interesting. I have no religion as my parents were never religious, however on job applications and such like I always put Christian as is more stereo-typical of my white British 'majority' population.
I feel at 37 years old I have experienced much and watched and learned many things including the beauty of diversity.
I have recently aquired a lovely friend who is Muslim. I am very lucky to meet Kamille and her family who have settled in England from Ankora in Turkey.
They speak hardly any English but we communicate really well.
I am all fingers and thumbs with the whole religious side of it though. I took my shoes off before going in their house as I had been told this was always done by other friends!
I then asked if she wanted a biscuit from the huge plate she had offered me, only to be told that she was fasting for Ramadan.
I feel a bit ignorant and so searched Muslim traditions. I am really intrigued but am finding conflicting advice on Google etc. How to greet, can I give a gift for the end of the holiday and is it different for them as they are Turkish? They speak Turkish but I have hear her say salem...sorry I can't spell the rest...and I know this is Muslim??
Please Can someone help?
Many thanks...Lisa
Lisa, how nice that you want to understand your friends better by learning something about their religion and culture. Yes, most Muslims take their shoes off when they go in the house. Our greeting, as you heard, is "As-salamu alaykum", which means, peace be upon you. And the traditional response is "wa alaykum as-salam", which means, peace be upon you as well. And yes, this is the month of Ramadan, so we Muslims are fasting from dawn to sunset each day. At the end of Ramadan we have a holiday called Eid, and I am sure a gift would be welcome. If they have children, then clothing for the children is a customary gift, but it can be anything really.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
hi,my friend is a non muslim but she has a relation with a muslim boy. they live together. her boy friend do fasting and she also do so with him. now my question is that is that allowed to live with a non muslim girl with out marriage? and since she is fasting with her boy friend so is that also allowed in islam? thank you.
It is not allowed to live with any non mahram girl without nikah - be she Muslim or non Muslim. If this non Muslim girl wants to fast - she can - but they will not be accepted as fasts of a Muslim until she accepts Islam. The Muslim boy is committing a grave sin. He is having haram relations with a girl and that during Ramadan aswell. The best thing you can do is tell your non Muslim friend about the gravity of this sin and also that it would be best for her to leave this boy. If she sinerely accepts Islam, she can ask this boy to marry her through a wali, although his current behaviour does not fit well with the characteristics of a good Muslim. Outside of marriage, this relationship is haram.
If you have any further questions, please log in and submit them as a separate post.
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
As-salamu alaykum
I am a non-muslim, but I used to fast on Ramadan months from my college time onwards.
Someone told I should not do fasting. Is it true?. Is I am doing any wrong. I think it depend on our faith and believe. I want to understand Islam. Please guide me the rules
Holy month Ramadan going to start so I wish to get answer as soon as possible.
Vipin, I think if you want to fast that's wonderful. Don't worry about what anyone says. It's between you and God.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
HEY vipin
Even im a hindu n even i keep roza for a month
It depends on r devotion
Ur right on ur path
god bless u
I think yes they can but if they want to but they can not do fast on the name of Ramadan. To know the feeling yes they can if they want to.
even m a born catholic....but i do.keep fast in ramadaan...
i feel its connection between oneself nd God....so no.harm if a non muslim
keeps fast in ramazan
My bf say that I can't fast in ramzan I have to covert to Islam.
Someone should tell your bf he can't have a gf!