Rulings on Fasting for the Sick
Islam is the religion of nature, and Allah has placed ease in it for His servants. Although fasting has been made obligatory, concession has been given to the sick. If fasting may harm one’s health, the sick person is permitted to leave the fast, and afterwards must make up the fast or give expiation (fidyah), depending on the nature of the illness.
In the Light of the Quran
Allah the Exalted says:
“فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ”
“يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ”
Translation:
“And whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then (let him make up) the same number of days from other days. And for those who are in severe hardship (in fasting), there is a fidyah: the food of one poor person.”
“Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”
From these verses it is understood that the sick person is permitted to leave the fast, and afterwards making up the fast becomes necessary. If the illness is chronic and recovery is not possible, then giving fidyah is sufficient.
In the Light of the Hadith
(1) The Concession of the Prophet ﷺ for the Sick
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تُؤْتَىٰ رُخَصُهُ كَمَا يُحِبُّ أَنْ تُؤْتَىٰ عَزَائِمُهُ”
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah loves that His granted concession be accepted, just as He loves that His commands be carried out.”
If fasting is harmful to a sick person, then leaving it is a mercy from Allah and there is no sin in it.
(2) If Fasting in Illness Is Harmful, It Is Disliked
The Prophet ﷺ passed by a man who was fasting in the intense heat. He asked:
“مَا بَالُ هَذَا؟”
The Companions said: “He is fasting.”
Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
“إِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَفْطِرْ”
Translation:
“Indeed, your self also has a right over you, so break your fast!”
If fasting risks worsening the illness, then fasting is not permissible but harmful.
Narrations of the Companions and the Righteous Predecessors
(1) The Fatwa of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)
Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“إِذَا كَانَ الْمَرِيضُ لَا يُطِيقُ الصِّيَامَ، أَفْطَرَ وَقَضَىٰ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَبَدًا، فَأَطْعَمَ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِينًا”
Translation:
“If someone is ill and fasting is burdensome for him, he should leave the fast and make it up afterwards. And if the illness is chronic, he should feed one poor person for each day.”
(2) The Statement of Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him)
“إِنْ كَانَ يَشُقُّ عَلَيْهِ الصِّيَامُ، فَلْيُفْطِرْ، وَإِنْ كَانَ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ الْقَضَاءَ فَلْيُطْعِمْ”
Translation:
“The one who faces severe hardship in fasting should make it up afterwards. And if he is not able even to make it up, he should give fidyah.”
4. Types of Illness and the Ruling on Fasting
Temporary Illness
If the illness is temporary (for example fever, headache, flu, etc.) and fasting carries a risk of the condition worsening, then leaving the fast is permissible, but making up the fast afterwards is necessary.
Chronic Illness
If the illness is such that there is no hope of recovery (for example diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, etc.), and fasting would cause severe harm, then giving fidyah is sufficient, meaning feeding one poor person for each fast.
Severe Weakness or Old Age
Those who have become very frail and for whom fasting is impossible may give fidyah.
5. Summary and Conclusion
In the case of a temporary illness, making up the fast afterwards is obligatory.
If the illness is chronic and recovery is not possible, then feeding one poor person for each day is sufficient.
This is the verdict of the Companions, the Tabi’in, and the majority of jurists: Islam is based on ease, and no hardship will be imposed on the sick.
