Long Ramadhan Days and Suffering From Anemia
Fatwa No: 380269

Question

Salam aleykom wa rahmatulah wa barakatuh.Ramadam karem.I would like to know opinion about my case.Im single mother living in non muslim country,fasting last 19 hours here.I have periods which lasts about ten days every two weeks.I had already anaemia.Fasting is causing extremely fatigue for me.It is very difficult for me special that I'm single Mom without any support.Im revert sister.What is rulings in my case.Jazak Allah khairan.Ramadan kareem.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

You are obliged to break your fast during the days of your menses and make them up later.

As for the other days, then you must fast because fasting the month of Ramadhan is one of the pillars of Islam. You are not permitted to intentionally break your fast without a legitimate excuse, and doing so is one of the grave major sins. Even if the day is long, you must still fast, persevere through the hardship, and hope for the reward of your fast. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in hope for the reward, all his previous sins will be expiated.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

However, if you are sick and fasting will harm you by delaying your cure or worsen your illness, and this is confirmed based on previous experience or the advice of a trustworthy physician, then you can break your fast, and then make these days up once you are cured from your illness.

Nonetheless, if the hardship is merely the normal difficulty one faces when fasting, then it is not a valid excuse that permits a person to break their fast.

Allah knows best.

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