In 1960, the Tunisian President, Habib Bourguiba, delivered a speech in which he criticized the obligation of fasting, considering that fasting in Ramadan hinders productivity and the progress of nations. In it, he called upon the Tunisian people to break their fast in Ramadan, saying: “Tunisia, an Islamic country, suffers from a degree of decline that brings it shame in the eyes of the world, and there is no way for it to remove this disgrace from its brow except through continuous, diligent work and fruitful, beneficial labor. Therefore, its struggle cannot be hindered or obstructed by the obligation of fasting. Fasting diminishes an individual’s capabilities and makes them unable to perform a duty that is not merely a personal duty, but a duty towards their nation and their religion.”
Bourguiba did not stop at that; rather, he put this into practice during Ramadan of the same year and drank a glass of juice in broad daylight (on live TV) during Ramadan to encourage the Tunisian people to break their fast. This was something that would have caused a great Fitnah (tribulation/discord) had Allah not destined Shaykh Muhammad At-Tahir ibn Ashur to confront this ignited Fitnah.
It is narrated that someone said to the Shaykh: “I do not understand your insistence, O esteemed Shaykh Muhammad. Your national role necessitates that you stand by our beloved President Bourguiba. Do you want to place yourself under suspicion and appear as if you are obstructing the march of production, development, and renaissance in Tunisia?”
The Shaykh’s answer was: “The role of the people of knowledge is to clarify the truth to the people and not to conceal it. And there are state-appointed Shaykhs who have agreed with the President, so what difference will my opinion make in this matter?
The persuader continued: “Your Eminence (you O Shaykh) are a symbol of Tunisia, nay, of the entire Islamic Ummah, and the impact of your words may perhaps exceed the impact of the words of the President himself.”
The Shaykh replied: “Very well, if that is the case, then there is no escape from performing my role and going out to the people. Perhaps Allah will expand my chest and untie the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.”
The persuader said: “Excuse me, I did not understand.” The Shaykh responded: “Never mind. Tomorrow, everything will become clear to you, by the will of Allah.”
And on the following day, Shaykh Muhammad At-Tahir ibn Ashur went out to state his opinion on the matter (on public radio): “Praise be to Allah alone, and peace and blessings be upon the one after whom there is no prophet. As for what follows: O Muslims, know that breaking the fast during the daytime of Ramadan without a legitimate Shari’ah excuse is an act forbidden by Shari’ah, and that denying the obligation of fasting is tantamount to denying something necessarily known from the religion. Allah Ta’ala says: ‘O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous’ [Al-Baqarah 2:183]. Sadaqallah wa Kadhaba Bourquiba, Sadaqallah wa Kadhaba Bourquiba (He said three times ‘Allah spoke the truth and Bourquiba lied’.)”
So Bourguiba retracted what he had called for, and his call against the obligation of fasting collapsed. However, he retired Shaykh At-Tahir ibn Ashur from his position as Dean of the Zaytuna College of Shari’ah and Usul Ad-Din. Then, Bourguiba thereafter closed Zaytuna University, whose foundation was laid by the prominent Islamic leader Hassan ibn Nu’man in 79 AH.
Saheehus-Seerah 