He can fast only some days of Ramadan
Fatwa No: 90682

Question

My question is very sensitive and important for me. I'm very much afraid of Allaah and Al-hamdulillah, on Tawheed and try to follow Islam as much as possible and I teach people Islam and do Da'wa work also. And I have learnt a lot from your website Al-hamdulillah, and Allaah will give you reward for this, Inshaa Allaah. The problem is I cannot fast, due to acidity and I cannot tolerate hunger, hardly I can fast for 2-5 days after that I will start feeling weak and I will get severe headache which will not be relieved until I take tablet which I can't do while fasting, otherwise I try to follow Islam strictly and try to reach the highest level of Taqwa. Now I'm afraid of Allaah that I will be punished for this or I'm excused for this as Allaah Knows the problem? And to whom I teach Islam and to whom I teach to follow the Islam strictly they treat me like, you only not fasting and some people stopped talking to me, they think that I'm only not following Islam and teaching them. Anyhow I'm not afraid of them and worried what they say, as I'm only answerable to the Almighty Allaah. I just want to confirm from you that, what should I do? And one more thing I feed one person as Kaffarah according to 2:184 of the Quran. Please help me to know whether I'm on right path or will be punished? If its like that then at any cost I will try to fast, Inshaa Allaah. But believe its really difficult for me and that too I'm working in Gulf not with my family, I can't even cook, my duty is for 12 hrs daily without any off. And I'm 32 yrs old. Please answer me as soon as possible I'm afraid of Allaah, as nobody can save from His anger and punishment except Himself. I hope you will answer me at the earliest for the sake of Allaah the Great, Inshaa Allaah. Please don't delay. And you did not answer to my earlier question: 289137. Please don't do like that this time.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

We supplicate Allaah to cure you from the illness you are facing and grant you strength to fast.

After having read your situation we advise you to consult a trustworthy Muslim doctor to decide whether or not your problem could be controlled through some medicine. If fasting is possible by using the prescribed medicine in your Suhoor (predawn meal) before the time of Athaan of Fajr then you have to fast using the medicine. If it is impossible and you can fast some days and some days can not, as you mentioned, then you have to fast only the days you are able to fast.

However, the ruling depends on ability; if you are able to fast then it is forbidden to give up the fasting. 

The expiation is due only on those who can not fast at all but in your case you can fast periodically so, you have to make up the missed days later as per your convenience.

Finally, we remind you and ourselves as well, of fearing Allaah and striving hard to observe His commands.

For details read the Fataawa: 85118 and 85226.

Allaah Knows best.

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