بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
I suffer from a chronic illness called diabetes wherein I am unable to keep fast in Ramadaan. What is the command of Shariah in this matter?
Allah Ta’aala states in the Holy Quraan,
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
Allah places not a burden on any soul but to the extent of his strength
(Surah Baqarah, Verse 286)
فَمَنۡ کَانَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّرِیۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰی سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّۃٌ مِّنۡ اَیَّامٍ اُخَرَ
So, whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of days are to be made up on other days
(Surah Baqarah, Verse 184)
Aala Hazrat Imaam Ahmed Raza Khan Barailwi (Allah be pleased with him) states,
“If one has such an illness by which he or she is unable to keep fast (in Ramadaan), fasting will be detrimental, it will increase the illness or cause difficulty (to the health of the person) and this is attested to by experience or a Muslim doctor who isn’t an open transgressor of the Shariah has diagnosed such, then for however long this condition remains, even if be the full month, he or she can stay away from fasting. After gaining health (if possible) he or she should make Qadha of the fasts he or she was unable to keep from the 1st till the 30th fast.”
(Fataawa Razvia, Vol. 10, pg. 520, Published by Raza Foundation, Lahore)
Expounding on this, Hazrat Mufti Khalil Khan Barakaati (Allah be pleased with him) states,
“If the fasts (missed by someone with a chronic illness like diabetes) cannot be kept immediately, then (the Qadha) should be kept in a season (wherein it is easier to do so) like winter. If the Qadha fasts cannot be observed continuously, they should be kept by having a break of a couple days in between. Allah Ta’aala forbid, if one doesn’t have the strength or health to do so this even, then Fidya for every missed day of fasting should be given. Fidya for a day of fasting is equal to the amount of Sadqatul-Fitra (Fitra).”
(Fataawa Khalilia, Vol. 1, pg. 504, Published by Zia-ul-Quraan Publications, Lahore)
Therefore, if one who suffers from diabetes or a chronic illness, is unable to keep fast in Ramadaan, even if it be the entire month, he or she is excused from fasting. If health permits, Qadha for every day of fasting missed must be made. If this is not possible, Fidya for every missed day of fasting should be given to the poor or needy. Even after giving Fidya, if a person has enough strength to keep Qadha of the fasts missed, it is necessary for him or her to keep Qadha for the fasts.
And Allah and His Rasool know best.
Darul Iftaa
Islamic Lifestyle Solutions
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