Fasting with medical conditions

ASTHMA PUMP

Q. I am an asthma patient. Is it permissible for me to use the inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol (liquid medication). If it is notpermissible, what should I do when I get an asthma attack during fasting?

A. Since the inhaler contains a medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at thetime of Sahri to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate alternative which does not break thefast, you may use the inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa). And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]

BLOOD TEST

Q. If blood is taken out of the body, does this break the fast?

A. Taking out blood during fasting does not invalidate the fast. And Allah Ta'ala knows best. [Mufti E. Desai]

Q. I am diabetic and I am prone to fainting - can I take blood tests to monitor my blood sugar during ramadan?

A. Shari'ah (laws of Islam) are balanced and have taken into consideration different circumstances. If a person is ill to such an extent that he will faint due to fasting, then he will be excused from fasting. Such a person may give Fidya (compensation) for not fasting. However, taking blood tests during fasting is permissible and that does not invalidate the fast. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]

INJECTIONS WHILST FASTING

Q. Is it permissible to take an injection while fasting and does that nullify the fast?

A. It is permissible to take an injection during fasting. The injection does not nullify the fast. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.432) And Allah Ta'ala KnowsBest. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS WHILST FASTING

Q: Are fasting persons allowed to undergo special investigations?

A: a) Blood samples are allowed to be taken for investigation whilst fasting.

b) Any investigation requiring invasion via the natural orifices into the Jawf-al-badan ie. abdomen, such as endoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, baruim investigations etc., including pap smears, internal gynaecological examinations are not allowed in the fasting state.

Q: Can minor procedures be carried out under anaesthetic without breaking the fast?

A: If these procedures, such as drainage of an abscess or setting of a fracture are carried under local anaesthetic, they are permissable. General anaesthesia with loss of consciousness will cause the fast to be broken and qadhaa fast will have to be observed. [Source: Fasting and the patient-IMA]

INTERNAL EXAMINATION

Q. Will a woman's fast break if she has a internal examination, i.e. where the doctor uses a finger to check inside the patient's private part?

A. The fast will only break if any lubricant, oil, or water is applied on the finger before inserting it, and also if the finger is inserted, taken out and the same finger (which will now be moist) is reinserted. If a dry finger isinserted once (and not reinserted immediately thereafter) then the fast will remain intact. However if any medicine is inserted into the private part, thenwhether it is inserted with the finger or with any other instrument, it will invalidate the fast.

SEVERE HEADACHE

Q. If a person broke his fast due to a severe headache then is he permitted to break his fast, and is there Kaffaarah for this?

A. If he broke his fast because of the severe headache becoming unbearable, and by keeping the fast his headache and illness will increase drastically, then hewill be permitted to break his fast. However, he is required to keep its Qadha after Ramadhaan. There is no Kaffaarah in this instance. [Tahtaawi p. 373,Bahrur Raaiq Vol.2 p. 281]

NOSE DROPS, EYE DROPS

Q. Can a person who is sick inhale some menthol type medicine through the nose to clear the head during fasting in Ramadan? Can a person put eye drops intheir eye during Fasting in Ramadan?

A. It is not permissible to inhale medicine during fasting. It is permissible to use eye drops during fasting. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]

SWALLOWING MUCUS

Q. If someone has a throat infection and is coughing up green or yellow colored sputum, if such sputum is swallowed will this invalidate the fast? Similarilyif someone has a runny nose from the flu or common cold which is producing clear mucus, if this mucus is swallowed will the fast be invalidated?

A. Swallowing Mucus or sputum does not invalidate the fast. and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best. [Mufti Ebrahim Desai]

EXTRACTION OF TEETH OR DENTAL PROCEDURES

Q. Can one go for a dental extraction whilst fasting?

A. These are allowed while one is fasting , but great care must be taken that no material is swallowed. If water, blood, food particles, released plaque, orfilling matter is accidently swallowed, then the fast will be broken. It is generally advised, in view of the above, that one should avoid these prodedures while fasting.