Based on Islamic teachings, a wife generally requires her husband's permission to observe a voluntary fast.
Understanding the Requirement for Permission
While obligatory fasts, such as those during the month of Ramadan or making up missed Ramadan days, do not require a husband's permission, the ruling differs for voluntary or supererogatory fasts.
According to the information provided from [www.aliftaa.jo], specifically from the article "What is the ruling on fasting without the permission of the husband?," it is stated that a wife "isn't permitted to fast save with his permission." This means obtaining consent from her husband is generally necessary before undertaking a voluntary fast.
Ruling on Fasting With or Without Permission
The ruling further clarifies the outcome depending on whether permission was obtained:
- Fasting Without Husband's Permission: "if the wife fasted without the husband's permission then her fast is valid yet she is sinful". This indicates that although the fast itself counts as performed from a technical standpoint, the wife incurs a sin for doing so without her husband's consent, as it might infringe upon his rights, particularly regarding intimacy or other needs he may have during the day.
- Fasting With Husband's Permission/Consent: "...if she had his consent, then it is similar to having his permission without being said as stated in [Hashyat Al-Byjirmi]." If the husband grants permission or shows consent, the wife's voluntary fast is permissible, valid, and she is not considered sinful for undertaking it.
Summary of Rulings
Here is a simple summary based on the provided information:
| Type of Fast | Husband's Permission Required? | If Fasted Without Permission | If Fasted With Permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obligatory | No | Permitted, Valid, No Sin | Permitted, Valid, No Sin |
| Voluntary | Yes | Valid, but Sinful | Permitted, Valid, No Sin |
Note: This discussion specifically pertains to voluntary fasts, as this is the context addressed by the requirement for permission in the referenced source.
Therefore, while a wife can perform a voluntary fast without her husband's permission (and the fast will be valid), she is instructed not to and will be sinful for doing so. Permission is the condition that makes a voluntary fast permissible and non-sinful for a wife.
