The Fiqh of Fasting: 6.7 Valid reasons for Missing the Fast of Ramadhan

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

6.7 Valid reasons for Missing the Fast of Ramadhan

In each of the cases below, one may leave the days of fasting at hand and make up the fast at a later, more convenient date. A very old person or one with a severe, long illness, who is not able to fast, is allowed to leave the fast. Such a person, if he regains the strength for fasting, must make up the days he missed. A fast of Ramadhan may be missed in the following circumstances:

· setting out on a journey as a traveller;

· temporary sickness;

A sick person who fears [with good reason] an increase in their sickness [or a person who is well but fears he or she may fall sick], or a traveller, all have permission to choose not to observe fasting, [opting instead to make it up at a more convenient time]. Thus, if one thinks it will not cause any trouble, the best thing for a person travelling to do would be to observe the fast. If, however, one has undertaken one’s journey for the purpose of jihad, or thinks that one’s fasting may cause inconvenience to himself, or some kind of harm, then it us far better that one does not observe the fast. If it should seem likely that one’s observing the fast will cause one’s demise, it is essential (wajib) that one not keep the fast. If one does, he will have committed a great wrong.

A sick person or a person travelling who elects not to keep the fast and then dies, during either the illness or the journey, will not be responsible for making up the fasts that were missed. However, if one dies after regaining health or reaching many fasts as there were days between the time of death and the end of his illness or journey [assuming that the number of days during this period are fewer than the number of fasts missed]. In the event that one does not make up those fasts during this period, it becomes binding, wajib, on that person’s wali (close relative) to pay fidyah from the third part pf the deceased estate, if the deceased has done wasiyyah (a will) for it. For each fast for which the deceased was responsible; giving food to one poor person in portions equal to sadaqah al-fitr. If the deceased left no instructions for fidyah to be taken from one’s estate, then it is not necessary that it, fidyah, be given. If, however, someone would like to volunteer [to give it out of the goodnedd of their heart], then it will be accepted [and responsibility of the deceased will come to an end].

· setting out on a campaign for jihad;

· pregnancy

· breastfeeding a child;

A pregnant or woman, if she fears, for either her own health or the health of her child’s, has permission not to keep the fast. Later she will have to make up the missed fats, but she will not have to give fidyah.

· not being able to endure the fast due to unbearable hunger and thirst;

· old age or weakness;

· if one feels that he will be risking his life if the fast is observed;

A person who is so weak and aged as to be unable to keep the fast has permission, should he or she choose, not to keep the fast; giving instead, for each fast ones misses, food to the value of sadaqah al-fitr. Later, if one regains enough strength to perform the fast, he will become responsible for making up the fast missed.

6.7.1 Making up a missed fast of Ramadhan

Making up qada’ fasts of Ramadhan may be done continuously or intermittently but not observed concurrently with the present Ramadhan’s fast.

If a whole year goes by without a person observing the missed fasts of Ramadhan until another Ramadhan and thereafter make up the fasts missed the previous Ramadhan. It is not necessary to pay fidyah for when this happens.

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa'sallam said:
"The Muslim is a unique Ummah among the whole of mankind:
Their Land is ONE, their War is ONE, their Peace is ONE,
Their Honour is ONE and their Trust is ONE."
[Ahmad]