Does a sick person have to fast?
Published as Frequently asked Questions pertaining to Fasting (Part 1) (3/21)
Question
Does a sick person have to fast?
Answer
A sick person is exempted from fasting altogether if there is genuine reason to believe that the current illness will intensify by fasting or that he/she will suffer another illness on result of fasting or that his/her recovery will be prolonged due to fasting.
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Jamiatul Ulama KZN. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue
For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.
Source: Jamiatul Ulama KZN — https://jamiat.org.za/frequently-asked-questions-pertaining-to-fasting-part-1/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/jamiat-26171-3
Related fatawa
Jamiat KZN23 May 2018Frequently asked Questions pertaining to Fasting (Part 1) (6/21)Will the application of eye drops break the fast?- Jamiat KZN23 May 2018Frequently asked Questions pertaining to Fasting (Part 1) (9/21)Will a nasal spray break the fast?
- Jamiat KZN23 May 2018Frequently asked Questions pertaining to Fasting (Part 1) (1/21)Is fasting obligatory on a minor child?
Mufti Online26 Aug 2025Frequently reciting "Bismillah"As in a Hadith it is recommended to "start" any task with "Bismillah". So I want to ask if one says…
Ask Imaam11 Dec 2001Fasting while sick in RamadanCan a person who is sick inhale some menthol type medicine through the nose to clear the head during fasting…
Ibn Masood16 Jul 2025Discharging Fidyah Due To IllnessCan a person who suffers from an illness, and as a result finds it difficult to keep Qadha of his/her fasts…