Does Drawing Blood from the Neck Vein Break the Fast?

Question:​

I am 16 years old and have been undergoing continuous medical treatment at a hospital for the past five years. Last Ramadan, while I was fasting, my doctor prescribed a chemical injection into a vein in my neck. The medicine was very strong and affected my stomach and entire body. On the day I received the injection, I felt extreme hunger after just seven hours of fasting and experienced severe distress until Maghrib, but I did not break my fast.

This year, the doctor has again prescribed the same treatment during Ramadan. Should I break my fast on that day or continue fasting? If I do not break my fast, is making up the fast (Qada) necessary? Also, does drawing blood from the neck vein or injecting medicine into it invalidate the fast?

Answer:​

• If a sick person finds fasting harmful or excessively difficult or needs to take medicine or fluids during the day, it is permissible for them to not fast.
• This is based on Allah’s command in the Quran:
  
  وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
  "And whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of days [are to be made up] later."(Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)
  
  
• The Prophet ﷺ also said:
  
  "Indeed, Allah loves that His concessions be accepted, just as He dislikes disobedience."
  (Sahih al-Jami‘: 1886, narrated by Ibn ‘Umar, authenticated in Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 564)
  
  "Just as He loves that His obligatory commands be fulfilled."
  (Sahih al-Jami‘: 1885, narrated by Ibn ‘Umar, Ibn ‘Abbas, and Ibn Mas‘ud, authenticated in Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 564)
  

Does Drawing Blood from the Neck Break the Fast?​

• Taking a small amount of blood for testing does NOT break the fast.
• However, if a large quantity of blood is drawn, it is recommended to postpone it until night to avoid weakness.
• If blood is drawn during the day, it is recommended (mustahabb) to make up (Qada) the fast as a precaution, by analogy with Hijamah (cupping therapy), which does invalidate the fast according to some scholars.

Conclusion:

• If fasting causes harm or requires taking medication during the day, it is permissible to break the fast, and Qada must be observed later.
• Drawing blood in small amounts does NOT break the fast, but if a large amount is drawn, it is preferable to make up the fast later as a precaution.

Issued by: Sheikh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله).