How Many Days In Ramadan?

**Razor** · 1st December 2011

A muslim adult fasts 28 whole days in Ramadan. He is in sound mind and body all throughout. He has nothing to make up.

Can this be?

(Yes, this is a riddle. Now quit asking stupid questions and get your thinking caps on)

**Aboo Muhammad** · 1st December 2011

He died.

....

**Razor** · 1st December 2011

No, he lived on in perfect health.

**The.Joshua.Redux** · 1st December 2011

He travelled to another country, or went somewhere where ramadhan started earlier, does he have to make up the missing fast or not?

**Razor** · 3rd December 2011

In the case of traveling, he would not be able get away with less than 29 days i.e he would have to make up.

The scenario is that the people are not sure whether Ramadan has started so they do not fast because you are not allowed to fast the day of doubt. The following morning news comes that the crescent was sighted the night before. They are required to stop eating for the rest of the day and fast the remainder of the month. If the month is 29 days then this means you have only fasted 28 whole days.

According to the majority of scholars you have to make up for that first day since you did not make the intention from fajr, so upon this the riddle does not work. It does, however, work if you take the opinion of ibn Taimiya who says that you do not need to make up for it because the intention follows the knowledge. If you did not have knowledge that the month has started then you obviously can not have the intention to fast. You did what you were required to do (not to fast the day of doubt and then refrain when the knowledge reaches you) therefore there is nothing else binding upon you. The end result is that you have fasted 28 whole days only.