March-April . 2022 | @ Halal
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It is permissible for Muslims to break their fast if necessary when they are sick
BY FATIHAH MANAF
THE month of Ramadan is full of blessings . Muslims must take this opportunity to better themselves both physically and spiritually . Shall they feel unwell and unfit to perform fasting , they should consult healthcare professionals and get some advice . Take medications if necessary and pray to Allah to ease their effort to fast .
Emphasising the importance of consuming medication , YAD Dato ’ Dr Haji Anhar bin Haji Opir , Sahibus Samahah Dato ’ Seri Utama Diraja Mufti Selangor said the act of taking medicines for people who are sick was one of the Prophet ’ s commands .
In a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas , Prophet Muhammad SAW said : “ Make use of medical treatment , for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it , except for one disease , namely old age .”
Anhar said Allah had repeated matters related to fasting with the same narrative in the Quran . After stating the obligation of fasting in verse 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah , Allah mentioned some fasting exemptions for those who go travelling and those who are sick . These exemptions can be referred to in
verse 184 and verse 185 of the same Surah .
Fast a prescribed number of days . But whoever of you is ill or on a journey , then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramadan …
( The Quran , 2:184 )
… But whoever is ill or on a journey , then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramadan … ( The Quran , 2:185 )
“ This shows that Islam , despite making fasting an obligation to Muslims , gives some options for those who are ill . These people may break their fast due to their illnesses and then consume medications . However , these illnesses must be genuine and confirmed by doctors .
“ And for every single day that they break the fast to consume the medications , they must qadha ( replace ) them after Ramadan ,” explained Anhar .
Some medications do not invalidate fasting
When asked about the types of medication that can be consumed during Ramadan , Anhar said : “ Basically , if someone is sick , all medications which are halal and approved by the Ministry of Health ( MOH ) can be consumed by that person .”
“ They do not bring harm and can treat sickness . However , certain medicines and treatments might invalidate fast while some might not .
“ So , if the medicines are to be consumed in Ramadan during the day from Subuh until Maghrib , and the intake could not be avoided , this then will invalidate one ’ s fast ,” he said , adding that the person needs to replace his fast later .
“ The person does not sin for breaking the fast due to the illness .”
Anhar then mentioned some types of medicines and treatments which would not invalidate fasting . He said medication like Tablet Glyceryl Trinitrate did not make one ’ s fast void as patients only put them under the tongue .
“ Using eye drops will not void the fast as eyes are not considered open cavities where inserting something in them will invalidate the fast . This is different from ears . If we insert a drop of water or oil ( inside the ears ), the ears will be considered open cavities .
“ The same goes for our mouth . If something reaches hulkum ( throat ), which means it is swallowed , the fast is void .”
Anhar said swab test procedures for Covid- 19 screenings did not invalidate fast as it did not exceed the hulkum and the upper area of the skull . He stated that Muslim patients could refer to the guidelines provided by JAKIM to know more information on the types of medication and treatments , which may and may not invalidate the fast .
Different opinions on the usage of inhalers
Some scholars may have different opinions on certain medications which may invalidate fasting . Anhar said disagreements occurred between scholars in fiqh matters due to the differences in depiction received .
“ However , how do we engage with these different opinions and choose one ? The easiest method is to take the fatwa used in our own State . The fatwa in our State is a view that we can take even though there are different opinions in other States .
“ For example , regarding the usage of inhalers for asthma patients . Based on the decision discussed , after getting the explanation from medical experts , we decided that inhalers would invalidate fast . This is because the particles exceed the hulkum . It does not need to reach the stomach ( to invalidate fast ), but the hulkum .
“ This is the view we hold for now , specifically in Selangor .”
Healthcare professionals play an essential role
Anhar said Muslim patients must get advice from doctors to know more about their health conditions and whether they are fit to perform fasting .
“ It is vital to get the advice from the doctors , who are experts in the field ( healthcare ), especially Muslim doctors . This is because Muslim doctors know about the obligation of fasting .
He said these doctors would advise accordingly to suit the patients ’ condition . In some cases , these patients might be able to fast as they would only need to consume their medications at night . The doctors would also advise the patients if they could not adjust the timing of the medication intake .
Anhar stated that doctors ’ verification would make Muslims more confident regarding the exemption of fasting . These Muslim patients can replace their fast later , and if their illnesses continue even after Ramadan and make it impossible for them to replace them , they could pay fidyah .
… So , ask the people ( having the knowledge ) of the message , if you do not know . ( The Quran , 21:7 )
“ The verification from experts ( doctors ) is crucial to become a guide for us .”