If someone is sick in Ramadan and is unable to fast therein, what is the ruling?

Question:

 

If someone is sick in Ramadan and is unable to fast therein, what is the ruling?

 

Answer:

 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

 

If someone is sick in Ramadan and is unable to fast, then there is no sin upon him if he does not fast in Ramadan. He, nonetheless, has to make up for the missed fasts when he recovers from his sickness.

 

Allah Ta’ala says:

 

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ (185)

 

Translation:

 

The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks. (Quran 2:185)

 

And Allah knows best

 

Mufti Faizal Riza

4/1/2013

 

Darul Ifta Australia

www.mufti-online.net

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