Question

Is this correctly attributed to Imam Dhahabi?

Imam Dhahabi (rahimahullah) said: “Whoever leaves fasting in Ramadan without being sick or having any other excuse is more evil than the adulterer, the one who eats up wealth falsely, and drinks alcohol profusely (is addicted to it).”

Answer

‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has indeed mentioned this in his book “Al Kabair”.

He writes: “It is an established fact among the Believers that whoever does not fast in Ramadan without being sick nor having a valid excuse is considered to be worse than the adulterer, one who usurps wealth and the person addicted to alcohol. Rather, they doubt his faith. Such a person is suspected to be a disbeliever.”

(Al Kabair, pg. 76, under the tenth major sin)

Note: ‘Allamah Dhahabi (rahimahullah) is not trivialising the other sins mentioned above as they are also regarded as major sins. Rather, he is highlighting the severity of not fasting in Ramadan without a legitimate reason.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

الكبائر للذهبي: (ص: ٧٦)
وعند المؤمنين مقرر أن من ترك صوم رمضان بلا مرض ولا غرض؛ أنه شر من الزاني، والمكاس، ومدمن الخمر، بل يشكون في إسلامه، ويظنون به الزندقة والانحلال.