Who can not fast? In what situations is fasting not allowed?

According to the information on the website of the High Council of Religious Affairs, a patient diagnosed by a specialist doctor that fasting would be harmful to health may not fast during Ramadan. If the person’s illness is temporary, he will make up for the fasts he did not keep when he gets better. If his illness is permanent, he gives a ransom for the fasts he cannot keep. The following is stated in the verse on the subject:

“Fasting is for a number of days. Whoever of you is sick or on a journey, he will keep it on other days as many as the number of days he can’t. Those who are unable to fast give a ransom for the satisfaction of the poor. However, whoever sincerely does a good deed (for example, overpays the ransom), it is better for him. Fasting is better for you, if you only knew.” (Baqara, 2/184).

Those who do not have the power to pay ransom will not be held responsible for religion until they find this opportunity.

Who can not fast?

Journey:A person who is going to go to a place with a travel distance (at least 90 kilometers) during Ramadan may not intend to fast overnight. However, if he sets out on a journey during the day after having intended, he should not break his fast unless he has another legitimate excuse during this journey. A prayer that has been started must be completed if there is no excuse. Since the expedition is an excuse, if he breaks his fast after the expedition has started, he does not need expiation, only qada.

Illness:It is permissible for a person who is worried that his illness will increase or prolong while fasting, and people who have difficulty in fasting due to his illness, not to fast during the month of Ramadan in order to make up for it after recovery. A person who is informed by the doctor that he will become ill in case of fasting is also considered a patient.

Senile:People who are too old to fast may not fast and give fidyah instead. In the 184th verse of the chapter of al-Baqara, it is decreed that those who are like this and cannot afford to fast should not fast and pay fidyah. Patients with no hope of recovery are also subject to the same provision.

Severe hunger, thirst:A person whose physical and mental health is seriously damaged due to hunger or thirst can break his fast. If the health conditions improve, the broken fast is made up after Ramadan. If such a person’s continuation of fasting is of such a nature that he will die, it will be haram not to break his fast, that is, to continue fasting.

Working in difficult and demanding jobs:In essence, it is not right for a person to work or be employed in hard and heavy work that will prevent them from performing their prayers normally. However, personal or social obligations may require some to work in such jobs. A person in such a situation may not fast if he fears that his health will be harmed if he fasts. Those who are in this situation should make up for their fasts that they could not keep on their days off or at suitable times.

Being pregnant:Pregnant or lactating women, who are likely to harm themselves or their children if they fast, are also considered among those whose health status is unsuitable for fasting. Those who are in this situation may not fast. Even if there is a strong possibility of damage, they should not hold it. When their condition returns to normal, they make up for the fasts they could not keep.