SAEDNEWS: With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, some individuals are unable to fast due to reasons such as illness or physical limitations. However, among them are those who deliberately choose to break the fast.
Every year, as the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Iran’s Law Enforcement and Judiciary issue statements regarding enforcement against public fasting violations.
This year, the Law Enforcement announced that all drivers and passengers—whether in private or public vehicles—are required to respect the sanctity of Ramadan. Individuals are urged to refrain from openly breaking their fast, causing noise pollution, or engaging in actions that violate religious norms.
The speaker at the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH) emphasized that anyone caught publicly eating or pretending to eat during Ramadan must face 25 lashes, as public fasting violations are currently considered a legal offense in the country.
Law enforcement is responsible for implementing this law: anyone disrespecting Ramadan’s sanctity should be arrested and referred to the competent court. Therefore, anyone with a legitimate excuse should consume food privately, and the sanctity of Ramadan must be preserved in areas where food is sold or consumed.
Historical and Legal Context
Openly eating or pretending to eat during Ramadan is considered a crime under Islamic law. According to Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, which derives from Islamic rulings:
"Anyone who openly commits a forbidden act in public spaces shall, in addition to the punishment for the act itself, be sentenced to imprisonment from ten days to two months or up to 74 lashes."
Fasting Violations in Other Islamic Countries
Saudi Arabia: Punishments include lashes, imprisonment, and exile for foreigners.
Jordan: Offenders face one month in prison and a fine of 25 dinars.
Kuwait: Similar to Jordan, penalties include nearly one month in prison or a fine of 100 dinars.
United Arab Emirates: Offenders may serve one month in prison or pay a 2,000-dirham fine.
Qatar: Punishments include up to three months in prison or a fine of 3,000 riyals.
Historical Examples
Imam Baqir (PBUH) reportedly punished a man with 39 lashes for breaking his fast without an excuse during Ramadan.
A poet named Najashi openly drank wine during Ramadan in the era of Imam Ali (PBUH). The Imam initially ordered 100 lashes and imprisonment, followed by an additional 80 lashes the next day, because the violation was public and deliberate.
Najashi questioned the additional punishment, to which the Imam replied: “You broke the sanctity of Ramadan and publicly committed a forbidden act.”
Key Considerations
It is important to note: the crime and corresponding punishment apply only to public fasting violations—that is, openly eating or pretending to eat in public. Individuals who eat in private, even without a religious excuse, commit a sin but are not subject to legal punishment.
Public Fasting Penalty
Under the Islamic Penal Code, anyone who openly performs a forbidden act in public places may face:
Imprisonment: 10 days to 2 months
Corporal punishment: Up to 74 lashes
