Getting ready for Ramadan: Part 5

Those Who Are Exempt from Fasting

To make it easy for people, Allah May He be glorified and exalted has exempted some of them from fasting.

They are:

1) Sick people whose medical condition is bound to be further worsened by fasting are permitted to break the fast but must make up the missed fasts after Ramadan..

2) People who can not possibly observe a fast due to old age or sick people for whom there is no hope of recovery may also break the fast but must feed a needy person for every day missed, by giving him 1.5 kg of the staple food common in the country..

3) Travellers, while moving from one place to another or during their temporary residence which lasts less than four days, are allowed to break the fast but have to make up for the fast days they have missed after Ramadan. As the Qur’an states, “But those of you who are sick or are on a journey must fast an equal number of other days. Allah wants ease for you, not hardship.” (Soorat Al-Baqarah: 185)

4) Menstruating women، and women experiencing post-natal bleeding are forbidden to fast but must make up an equal number of days after Ramadan. Even if they fast, it will not be valid.

5) Pregnant and nursing، women are permitted to break the fast if they fear it would be dangerous for them or for their babies if they fast. They must, however, make up for the fast days they have missed after Ramadan..