KUALA LUMPUR – It is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to fast on 1 Syawal, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has said in response to a woman who has insisted on marking Hari Raya Aidilfitri today.
Jakim in a Facebook post added that it was also prohibited for Muslims to fast on Hari Raya Aidiladha (feast of sacrifice) and on Tasyriq days (the days after Aidiladha).
“It is forbidden to fast on Aidilfitri, Aidiladha and on the Tasyriq days (11th, 12th and 13th of Zulhijjah),” Jakim said.
The post is believed to be in reference to the actions of a woman who said she was completing 30 days of fasting and would only celebrate Aidilfitri today. Ramadan in Malaysia began on March 12 while Hari Raya was celebrated yesterday.
The woman’s Facebook status read: “We will fulfil the full 30 days fast with confidence. PD (Port Dickson), Perlis, is only visible through a high-powered telescope and not with the naked eye.”
Her post has been widely shared across social media platforms, stirring debate.
She also said “disobedient” followers of the Prophet Muhammad should be prepared to “answer before Allah SWT later” while citing the Prophet’s command to observe Ramadan for 30 days.
Some social media users urged Jakim to take action against the woman for fear her views could mislead others in their faith.
One user named Johari Hashim said the woman’s views showed why it was “dangerous” for “ordinary people” to follow hadiths and sunnah directly “without consulting scholars”. – April 11, 2024