format_quote Originally Posted by
MazharShafiq
There are certain situations when it is optional to fast during the month of Ramadan, however, the fast must be made up at a later date. This is the rule for the sick or for the one who is traveling
Yes, but the illness has to be severe enough. You can't say "oh I have a runny nose, I'm not going to fast" for example. Here are the rulings from Bahaar e Shariat:
Law 6: If an ill person believes there is a predominant likelihood that
the illness will increase or that it will take longer for him to become
well, or if a healthy person believes there is a predominant likelihood
that he will become ill (if he fasts), or if a maid or male servant believes
that there is a predominant likelihood that they will feel such severe
weakness which they cannot bear, then in all these situations, they
are all permitted not to fast on that day. [Jauhira, Durr-e-Mukhtar,
vol.2, pg.159]
Law 7: In these cases, the condition is that of ‘Ghalib Gumaan’ (i.e. on
the basis of predominant likelihood). Simply assuming this, is not
sufficient. There are three categories of ‘Ghalib Gumaan’:
1. If the obvious signs of this are evident
2. If that person has personal experience (in this regard)
3. If a Muslim Physician who is Mastur, in other words a non-Faasiq,
has informed him (or her) accordingly
If there are neither any signs (symptoms), and nor does one have any
experience in this regard, or if a proper physician (as aforementioned)
has not advised him accordingly, but if he made Iftaar (broke the fast)
on the advice of a physician (doctor) who is an unbeliever or a Faasiq,
then Kaffarah is necessary. [Raddul Muhtar, vol.2, pg.159]
If most of the physicians of today are not unbelievers, ten (many) are
certainly Faasiq; otherwise to get a reliable (righteous) specialist
physician in this era is becoming very rare. Neither can one really rely
on their word, and nor can one break one’s fast on their advice. You
will find that such physicians ask people to abstain from fasting due
to even very minor illnesses. They do not even realise in which illness
fasting will be harmful and in which illness it would not be.