Regulations on Fasting During Ramadan Due to Illness and Expiation
Instances Permitting Fasting Exemption During Ramadan and Their Legal Rulings
The ruling regarding fasting during the holy month of Ramadan due to illness varies depending on the specific ailment and the individual’s health status. Below is an explanation of various health conditions and their corresponding legal implications:
- In cases of terminal illness or chronic medical conditions
In situations where an individual suffers from a severe illness that prevents them from fasting or requires medication during daylight hours, or where an elderly person lacks the physical strength to endure the fasting, it is permissible to break the fast. In these circumstances, the individual is required to pay a specified expiation as a substitute for fasting.
- In cases of temporary illness with the possibility of recovery
If a temporary illness prevents someone from fasting during Ramadan, the individual must make up for the missed days after the month concludes at a time of their choosing. It is acceptable for them to fulfill this obligation in a consecutive or dispersed manner, without any constraints. This is supported by the verse from the Quran: (And whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days [are to be made up] from other days).
What is the Expiation for Breaking the Fast Due to Illness During Ramadan?
An individual suffering from a chronic illness that is unlikely to improve must provide expiation for each day they did not fast during Ramadan. This expiation involves feeding a poor person for each day missed, typically amounting to approximately 600 grams of wheat or rice.
The individual should assess the value of this expiation in their local area or country and give it to a known poor person. The principle of expiation in Islamic legislation serves to alleviate the burdens on individuals in their acts of worship while purifying them from their sins and absolving them from blame.
Therefore, anyone who is ill and unable to fast, whether in Ramadan or afterward, is obliged to fulfil this necessary expiation. Conversely, those capable of fasting should make up for the days they missed during this blessed month, as expiation does not replace the obligation to fast. As per the Quran: (And fasting is better for you, if you only knew).
The Rationale Behind Islam Allowing Exemption from Fasting for the Sick
Islam does not grant all individuals the right to break their fast during Ramadan; this reflects the sanctity of the month and its profound significance in the eyes of Allah. However, certain illnesses, such as cancer or others that seriously hinder a person’s ability to fast, warrant the allowance for expiation.
Mild ailments such as headaches or influenza require individuals to assess their health situation. If they are genuinely concerned for their well-being or find fasting particularly burdensome, they are permitted to break their fast, as these conditions typically do not jeopardize one’s life, and a person can often recover quickly after eating and taking necessary medication.
In instances where fasting poses significant hardship, the individual must break their fast because preserving life is a paramount goal in Islam, and causing harm to oneself is strictly prohibited. This is underscored by the following evidence:
- Allah -glorified and exalted be He- states: (And do not kill yourselves; indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful).
- Additionally, He emphasizes the need to protect oneself from destruction and suffering in His Holy Book: (And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good).
- Furthermore, it is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- that he said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.”
The Mercy of Allah Towards His Servants
These evidences highlight Allah’s mercy towards His servants, safeguarding them from self-harm and distress. The Islamic faith aims to serve the interests of people while ensuring their lives and well-being are preserved. Regardless of circumstances, fasting is yet beneficial for the body and offers numerous advantages.
Fasting teaches individuals how to cleanse the body both externally and internally. Thus, those capable of fasting should take joy in their ability to do so, while those unable due to illness are excused and provided the means for expiation, ensuring they do not miss out on the rewards and blessings of the holy month of Ramadan.