Who will be released from fasting in Ramadan?

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all spiritually solid adult Muslims. Skipping or breaking fasting without a valid reason is considered a sin. However, Islamic teaching allows exceptions for certain people who are struggling because of travel, illness, pregnancy, or old age. Those who fall within these categories may skip or destroy fasting but must follow the corresponding Islamic decision. Below we will explain in detail the fasting, your responsibility, and who is free from the measures necessary if you are not fasting.

Travelers (Music) and Fasting:

Those who drive a minimum distance of 48 miles (approximately 77 km) are considered music (travelers) under Islamic law. Travelers have the opportunity to fast or skip quickly while traveling.

Travelers and Fasting Decisions:

• If fasting does not cause extreme needs, we recommend fasting.

• If high speeds cause excessive difficulty, it is not preferred (Macruh); it is desirable to skip fasting.

• A traveler who has never missed a fast (Qada) after returning home.

ANAS (RA) was once asked to fast. He replied:

"Those who did not immediately take over the intermittent concessions, the fasting man took noble actions." (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 6/132, Raddul Muhtar 2/421, Fatawa Tatarkhaniya 3/403)

Brake of Five:

If the traveler was almost before the trip, you cannot break the fast.

If a traveler breaks fast without a valid reason, he is sinful, but only a kada (fast designation) and not a kafara (expiration). (Fatawa Tatarkhaniya 3/403, Raddul Muhtar 2/431)

Return home during the day:

When travelers arrive at home before sunset, they must stop drinking the rest of the day from Ramadan. However, this should be compensated for almost later. (Musanf Ibi Shayba 6/221)

2. Illness person (Marido) and fast:

People who have been ill and have realized that fasting can worsen or slow down their recovery.

Lecture about sick people and fasting:

If a person's illness worsens due to fasting, do not fast.

If fasting can prolong the illness, the person can skip fasting and later must make it better again.

If there is a life-threatening illness, the person is obliged to break the fast for his or her health.

Doctor's advice:

If you are unsure whether fasting will harm you, you should consult a professional and a religiously upright doctor.

If a qualified doctor confirms that fasting can worsen the condition, the person should not fast and make it better again later. (Al-Muhit al-Burhani 3/359, Addrul Mukhtar 2/422)

3. Fasting with Pregnant Women

Pregnant women receive special permission to skip fasting for fear of their health care system.

Reger on Pregnant Women and Fasting:

4. If a pregnant woman is afraid that fasting will seriously damage her body, she can skip the fasting and make it better again later.

If fasting can harm a baby, it can quickly break it.

However, if fasting does not cause damage, it is recommended to observe fasting as usual. (Al-Muhit al-Burhani 3/359, Addrul Mukhtar 2/422)

4. Fasting with Breastfeeding Mothers:

Breastfeeding mothers are dependent on babies, and fasting reduces their ability to feed their children.

Deciding on Breastfeeding and Fasting:

• If fasting leads to a decrease in milk supply, then the mother can break the fast if it leads to a risk to the baby.

• The Prophet (saw) states:

"Allah has freed the traveler from fasting and shortened prayers. He has also become pregnant and released the breastfeeding woman from fasting." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1/152, Al-Muhit al-Burhani 3/359, Addurrul Mukhtar 2/422)

• The mother must make up for the missed fasting.

5. Elderly and weak (Phidia for fasting):

Elderly people who are unable to fast due to age or weakness are free from fasting.

Decisions regarding Elderly and Fasting:

• If the elderly cannot fast and there is no hope of regaining strength, they must compensate for the fasting.

• Instead, one poor person must be fed for each mistake (fidya).

• The amount of food is about 1.75 kg of wheat or feeding poor people for missing two meals a day.

Evidence of the Quran:

Allah says:

"For those who find it very difficult to make fast, feeding the poor can make up for it." (Sura al-Bakarah 2:184, al-Much al-Burhani 3/361, Fatawa Hindiya 1/207)

If the elderly gain strength later, they must resume fasting.

Final Thoughts

Islam provides compassion and flexibility in fasting rules. Those who cannot physically catch a breakdown for good reason will be given special allowances to compensate for fasting later or to provide fiddya if they cannot compensate for the fasting.

However, fasting is God's duty, so it is important that no one jumps fast without a valid reason. Those who missed fasting for real reasons must follow the corresponding Islamic guidelines to compensate for this.

By understanding these exceptions, Muslims can observe Ramadan with dedication and integrity, and at the same time ensure that their health and well-being are protected.