Khaberni - A video circulated on social media platforms in Egypt has sparked widespread controversy, after a person was seen smoking publicly during the daylight hours of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to the circulated video, the individual insisted on his act in front of passersby under the pretext of "personal freedom", prompting a decisive response from Egypt's most famous religious institution, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.
In his comment on the incident, Dr. Mahmoud Mahny, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, asserted that the stance of passersby who objected to this behavior is legally correct, citing the verse: "O my son, establish prayer and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination."
Mahny emphasized that the duty of fasting is a ritual of Allah established by the scripture, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the nation, and that publicly breaking the fast without a legitimate excuse mocks this ritual. He explained that if people encounter someone publicly breaking their fast, they should kindly advise him on what is right; if he insists on his stance under the claim of freedom, "then he should be taken to court" to resolve the matter and decide what is appropriate, to prevent the spread of chaos or disrespect to sacred values.
In regard to non-Muslims, the member of the Council of Senior Scholars mentioned the importance of considering public sentiment, noting that even if the person is non-Muslim, they should be gently guided not to "disturb the peace of the fasting individuals" by publicly breaking the fast in sight of them during the daylight hours of Ramadan, this being to safeguard the social fabric and respect the sanctity of the holy month.
