Shar‘i Guidance on Injections During Fasting: Rulings and Details
Based on: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Vol. 1
Does receiving an injection during the state of fasting invalidate the fast?
Receiving an injection while fasting is permissible, provided that the injection is not for the purpose of nourishment or strength, but solely for medical treatment.
Such injections are considered external medication, they do not reach the stomach, nor do they provide nutritional value akin to eating or drinking.
✔ These are injections that serve as a substitute for food and drink and fulfill nutritional needs.
These invalidate the fast, as they are akin to eating and drinking.
✔ These are used purely for treatment, not nourishment.
✔ Do not invalidate the fast, regardless of whether administered in a vein or muscle.
✔ However, it is recommended to administer them at night to exercise greater caution and avoid scholarly differences.
“Receiving an injection in a vein or muscle does not break the fast, as it is not a form of eating or drinking. However, it is better to administer it at night as a precaution to avoid differing views.”
Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: 15/257
“There is no harm in injections in the vein, muscle, or thigh, and they do not break the fast. These are not food or drink, nor are they in the same category.”
Fatāwā al-Ṣiyām: 220
“It is permissible for a fasting person to be treated with injections in the muscle or vein during the day in Ramadan. However, receiving nutritive injections during the fast is prohibited, as it is equivalent to eating and drinking.”
Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah: 10/252
✔ Non-nutritive injections for medical treatment do not break the fast.
Nutritive injections (used as food substitutes) invalidate the fast.
Preferably, injections should be taken at night for caution and to avoid disputes.
Based on: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Vol. 1
❖ Question
Does receiving an injection during the state of fasting invalidate the fast?
❖ Ruling
Receiving an injection while fasting is permissible, provided that the injection is not for the purpose of nourishment or strength, but solely for medical treatment.
Such injections are considered external medication, they do not reach the stomach, nor do they provide nutritional value akin to eating or drinking.
❖ Two Categories of Injections
① Nutritive Injections (مغذی ٹیکے)
✔ These are injections that serve as a substitute for food and drink and fulfill nutritional needs.
These invalidate the fast, as they are akin to eating and drinking.② Non-Nutritive Injections (غیر مغذی ٹیکے)
✔ These are used purely for treatment, not nourishment.
✔ Do not invalidate the fast, regardless of whether administered in a vein or muscle.
✔ However, it is recommended to administer them at night to exercise greater caution and avoid scholarly differences.
❖ Scholarly Opinions
✔ Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azīz ibn Bāz (رحمه الله):
“Receiving an injection in a vein or muscle does not break the fast, as it is not a form of eating or drinking. However, it is better to administer it at night as a precaution to avoid differing views.”
Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: 15/257✔ Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn (رحمه الله):
“There is no harm in injections in the vein, muscle, or thigh, and they do not break the fast. These are not food or drink, nor are they in the same category.”
Fatāwā al-Ṣiyām: 220✔ Fatwa from al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah:
“It is permissible for a fasting person to be treated with injections in the muscle or vein during the day in Ramadan. However, receiving nutritive injections during the fast is prohibited, as it is equivalent to eating and drinking.”
Fatāwā al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah: 10/252❖ Summary
✔ Non-nutritive injections for medical treatment do not break the fast.
Nutritive injections (used as food substitutes) invalidate the fast. Preferably, injections should be taken at night for caution and to avoid disputes.