Question:In light of what the world is witnessing from the spread of the Corona pandemic, we would like to ask for the opinion of our blessed authority: what is the ruling of fasting if one is afraid of getting the disease if he fasts?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if he knew that his fasting leads him to get the deadly disease (corona), he must break his fast. However, we came to know from the findings of specialist doctors that there is no relationship between fasting and the disease and it is narrated by all the Muslims that the prophet (PBUH&HF) said "Fast and you will be healthy". Let us take advantage of this honorable month of fasting to prevent all diseases, especially this wicked disease. May Allah Almighty reward all the people, especially the believers. Allah knows best.

Question:What is the ruling on fasting the day of doubt (30th of Sha'ban)? What is the ruling of the one who intentionally breaks it by relying on the Hijri calendar or the media affiliated with some of the organizations?

Answer:In the name of Allah, he has nothing on him, but if it is proven that it was from the month of Ramadan, he must only make up for it [Qadha fasting]. Allah knows best. To His Eminence the great religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Bashir Hussein Al-Najafy (may Allah prolong his life),

Question:Whoever fasts on the day of doubt believing that it is from Ramadan, then it turns out that that day is not the month of Ramadan, what is the ruling of it?

Answer:In the name of Allah, he must convert his intention into Sha’ban. Fasting is not permitted with the intention of the month of Ramadan unless the number of Sha’ban thirty days is completed or is proven to the one in one of the ways considered to be from the month of Ramadan. Allah knows best.

Question:If the day of doubt becomes - from Sha'ban or from the month of Ramadan – the one who is not in fasting before or after noon, comes to know that it is from the month of Ramadan, so what is the ruling on that? Does the ruling differ as to whether he committed what breaks the fast or not?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if he had not committed what breaks the fast, then fasting should continue and it is counted for him. If he had actually committed what breaks the fasting, he should re-fast [Qadha], in addition to keep in abstention. Allah knows best.

Question:If breaking the fast on the assumption that something possible is achieved, or if he intends to stop the prayer as well, is that harmful to his fast and prayer?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible for him to do so. If he did, then he would have deliberately broken his fast, then he must pay penance if he is in the month of Ramadan. But, as for prayer, he must resume his prayer. Allah knows best.

Question:If a person intends to fast and proceeded to observe it, then he violates his intention (he intended to break the fast), but he regrets and returned to his intention and does not eat, what does he need?

Answer:In the name of Allah, his fast is invalidated and he has to offer penance as a result of violating the vow. Allah knows best.

Question:When should the fasting person refrain from fasting invalidators and when will he break the fast in the country in which the day is of more than twenty hours?

Answer:In the name of Allah, when the sun rises, it is obligatory to abide by the general rules which is that refraining is done when white thread is distinguished the black thread to the coming of the night, no matter how long the night is or day. If the day is too long, then he can travel until he ends up saving himself and for breakfast. As for the areas in which the sun does not shine, but its light appears, and the inhabitants of the region deal with that light as we deal with the day, then the beginning and the end of the day are determined by that light. And if he is in a region where no day and night is marked by a clear privilege, the Muslim should not live in that area at least during the days of Ramadan. Allah knows best.

Question:Some witnesses attested to the confirmation of the crescent on Friday night, and we trust them, and there are those who challenge this testimony by saying: The crescent is mathematically not seen on Friday night, is this true?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if the claim of the impossibility of seeing is based absolute science, and knowing the non-conformity of testimony with reality, and this is a rare case, then it is obligatory to work with science, and to it some narrations indicate. Allah knows best.

Question:What is Shiaa (something which is very popular in the community) which benefits knowledge? It is achieved if its source was one or two people, for example?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the Shiaa which benefits reassurance is what is popular to all the people in the region the person lives in or in all the regions of the world, such that a large group of people in or out of his region claim seeing the crescent. Allah knows best.

Question:Is it permissible to rely on reliable scientific accounts to determine the beginning of the month, especially since clouds prevent sighting the crescent?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is not permissible to rely on it, yes if it benefits knowledge or reassurance, it is the guide. Allah knows best.