Various Fatawa on Fasting and Health

There was a person who had a chronic disease and the doctors advised him not to fast at all, but then he consulted doctors in another country and was healed by Allah's leave, five years later, when five Ramadans had gone by in which he did not fast. What should he do after Allah healed him? Should he make them up or not?.

Praise be to Allaah.

If the doctors who advised him not to fast at all were Muslim doctors who were trustworthy and had knowledge of this kind of disease, and they told him that there was no hope of recovery, then he does not have to make it up, and his feeding the poor is sufficient, but he has to fast in the future. End quote.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)

Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baz, 15/355

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/112096

I got a severe headache during Ramadaan because of toothache. Can I take pills when I am fasting?.

Praise be to Allaah.
Severe headaches are one of the reasons for which it is permissible to break the fast in Ramadaan, especially as fasting is something that makes the headache worse. So there is nothing wrong with the one who is affected by that breaking his fast in order to take medicine, and he may eat and drink to take away that pain. But he has to make up the days that he did not fast after Ramadaan is over, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]

It says in al-Jawharah al-Nubayrah (Hanafi) (1/142): The sick person for whom it is permissible to break the fast if fasting will make his fever worse or increase the pain in his eyes or head. End quote.
And Allaah knows best.


Islam Q&A

http://islamqa.com/en/ref/108414

I am a disabled man. My lower half is paralyzed and I use a wheelchair. The doctor has told me not to fast; because my body needs water regularly along the day and not drinking water may harm my kidneys. I did not obey him, I fasted the previous Ramadaan. Am I sinful? Shall I fast the coming Ramadaan? Please guide me. Bear to mind that the doctor is Muslim.

Praise be to Allaah.

Fasting is obligatory for every adult Muslim who is able to fast. If a Muslim is unable to fast because of a sickness and he will be harmed or the sickness will be made worse by fasting, or if he needs medical treatment during the day in Ramadaan such as pills and medicines and other things that are eaten and drunk, then in his case it is prescribed not to fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”
[al-Baqarah 2:185]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah likes you to avail yourselves of His concessions as He hates you to disobey Him.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad (5839) and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (564).
For more information please see the answer to question no. 11107

Based on this, if it is proven that fasting will harm you, based on the testimony of a trustworthy doctor, then you must not fast and it is not permissible for you to fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and do not throw yourselves into destruction”
[al-Baqarah 2:195]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” Narrated by Ibn Majaah (2341) and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Majaah.

Because you fasted last Ramadaan and were not harmed by it, what we think is that that you should consult another doctor who is more trustworthy and more knowledgeable than the first about your condition. If he tells you to fast then fast, and if he tells you not to fast then do not fast.

With regard to making up missed fasts, if your sickness is temporary then you have to wait until Allaah heals you, in sha Allaah, then make up the days that you did not fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days”
[al-Baqarah 2:184]

But if your sickness is ongoing and there is no hope of recovery, then you have to feed one poor person for each day.
For more information on how to feed the poor, please see the answer to question no. 39234.

We ask Allaah to decree healing and well being for you and for all the sick Muslims.
And Allaah knows best.


Islam Q&A
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/107305

I have medication for my mental problem. I have to take my medicin in the morning and in the evening. This evening medicin makes me tired and sometimes I can't wake up for suhuur and then I miss my morning medicin. And it is late to take iftaar time my morning medicin. What I should do? I have been fasting few days now but I stoped today because of this medication. Is it possible that I pay sadaqa in the end of Ramadhan?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

We ask Allaah, the Lord of the mighty Throne, to heal you and to reward you.

In the answer to question no. 12488 we described the kind of sickness which makes it permissible for a person to break the fast. This is any sickness that causes intense hardship for one who fasts, or there is the fear that his sickness may become worse or his recovery may be delayed if he fasts. If your situation is like this, then it is permissible for you not to fast in Ramadaan.

Secondly:

If you can take the medicine once when breaking the fast and once at sahoor, then this is what you have to do, and it is not permissible for you to break the fast in that case, because there is no excuse that makes it permissible not to fast.

But if that is not possible, and you have no choice but to take the medicine during the day, then it is permissible for you not to fast.

Thirdly:

With regard to giving charity instead of fasting, you have to refer to trustworthy doctors. If there is the hope of recovery from your sickness, then you have to make up the fasts and it is not permissible for you to feed others instead, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days” [al-Baqarah 2:184]. So you should wait until Allaah heals you then make up the days that you did not fast.

But if there is no hope of recovery from your sickness, then you do not have to make up the missed fasts, and you have to feed one poor person for every day.

It should be noted that what is required is to give food, and giving money instead of food does not count. This has been explained in the answer to question no. 39234

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A
http://islamqa.com/en/ref/islamqa/65871

I am 59 years old, and I never had nosebleeds before. Last Ramadaan I had a nosebleed for 28 days, three to six times, from morning to sunset. The blood goes down in my throat and I push it out. What is the ruling on this?.

Praise be to Allaah.
If the matter is as described then your fast is valid, because your getting a nosebleed was something involuntary so the fact that it happened does not mean that you broke your fast. This is indicated by a great deal of evidence from sharee’ah, such as the verses in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope”

[al-Baqarah 2:286]

“Allaah does not want to place you in difficulty”

[al-Maa’idah 5:6]

And Allaah is the Source of strength. may Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta (10/264, 265).

It also says:

If a person has a nosebleed involuntarily whilst fasting, his fast is still valid. End quote.

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta (10/268).


Islam Q&A
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/islamqa/106486

Question:

Does vomiting corrupt the fast?

Answer:

Many things happen to the fasting person that he does not intend, such as wounds or nosebleeds or vomiting or water going into his throat or gasoline fumes going into his throat, all against his will. Thus all these matters do no corrupt the fast. This is due to the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) statement:

“Whoever is overcome by vomiting, he does not have to make up for the day of fasting, and whoever make himself vomit, he must make up for the day of fasting.” (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

Shaikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 3 Page 275-276