Chapter on Making Up the Month of Ramadan, and the Ruling of One Who Breaks the Fast in It Intentionally and Forgetfully, and One upon Whom Fasting Two Consecutive Months Is Obligatory and He Breaks the Fast during Them, or upon Whom There Is a Vow Regarding Fasting

Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām|Volume 4|Book 2|Chapter 26

Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām

Volume 4, Book 2, Chapter 26

Chapter on Making Up the Month of Ramadan, and the Ruling of One Who Breaks the Fast in It Intentionally and Forgetfully, and One upon Whom Fasting Two Consecutive Months Is Obligatory and He Breaks the Fast during Them, or upon Whom There Is a Vow Regarding Fasting

Commentary #10

فالمراد به ان الاولى إذا كان بعد الزوال أن يصومه، وقد يطلق على ما الاولى فعله أنه واجب وقد بيناه في غير موضع فيما تقدم، كما تقول غسل الجمعة واجب، وصلاة الليل واجبة ولم ترد به الفرض الذي يستحق بتركه العقاب، وانما المراد به الاولى فليس ينبغي تركه إلا لعذر. قال الشيخ:) ويؤخذ الصبي بالصوم إذا احتلم أو قدر على صيام ثلاثة ايام متتابعات(.

What is intended by it is that what is more appropriate, if it is after midday (zawal), is that he fast it. What is more appropriate to do may be called obligatory, and we have clarified this in more than one place in what has preceded, just as you say: the Friday bath (ghusl al-jumuah) is obligatory, and the night prayer is obligatory, while you do not intend by it the obligation whose abandonment makes one deserving of punishment. Rather, what is intended by it is what is more appropriate, so it should not be left except for an excuse. The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him, said: “The boy is taken to fasting when he has a wet dream (ihtilam) or is able to fast three consecutive days.”