Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. According to all scholars, fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for all sane, healthy, adult Muslims, both male and female. But it is the infinite mercy and wisdom of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta aala) that He exempted some of His slaves from fasting in this month. Before discussing the groups of people who are exempted from fasting, it is to be noted that the following three categories of people are exempted from performing any acts of worship in Islam:
- Non-Muslim, as Islam is the first criterion for one’s deeds to be accepted by Allah (subhaanahu wa ta aala).
- Insane, as reported by Ali (radiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The pen is raised for three groups of people — that is, they will not be responsible for their actions: the insane until they become sane, those who are sleeping until they are awaken, and the young until they reach puberty.” [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi]
- Those who have not reached puberty, they are not obliged to perform acts of worship. However, they are encouraged to perform ‘Ibaadah so as to gain reward as well as to be accustomed to performing it at an early age.
The above categories are exempted from the obligation of acts of worship. Similarly, they are exempted from fasting in Ramadan as well. They are not obliged to fast in its entirety. In other words, they are not obliged to make up for missed fasts or pay ransom for it.
Next, the discussion will proceed to the groups of people who are exempted from fasting but they must make up for the missed fast or pay ransom for not fasting. Allah (subhaanahu wa ta aala) said in the Qur’an: “(Fasting for) a fixed number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) — then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship) — a ransom (as substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day)”. [Al-Quran, 2:184]
Based on this ayah, some categories of people are exempted from fasting:
- An ill person
- A traveler
- A pregnant and breastfeeding woman
- An elderly and terminally ill person
Besides these categories, scholars add two more groups of people who are exempted from fasting:
- A person who is suffering from intense hunger and thirst
- Compulsion
We can further divide the groups of people into two categories: those who must make up for missed fasts and those who are not obliged to fast but must pay a ransom or compensation for not fasting.
Those who must make up for missed fasts
- An ill person: Sickness refers to an unwell health condition. A person who is ill, but not terminally ill, is exempted from fasting and obligated to make up for the missed fasts. As mentioned by Ibn Qudaama (radiAllahu anhu) that scholars have agreed to this ruling based on the ayah of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184) as quoted earlier. This person must make up for the missed fasts and he cannot pay compensation based on the next ayah of the same surah: “…So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey — then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and wants for you to complete the period.” [Al-Quran, 2:185]. This ayah abrogates the ruling of the previous ayah. Hence a person who is not terminally ill must make up for the missed fasts. However, if fasting causes deterioration of the health condition and it slows down recovery, or damages a part of an ill person’s body then it is makrooh (disliked) to complete his fast as this may cause his death. In line with that, if a healthy person experiences fatigue or difficulty then it is not permissible for him to break his fast.
- A traveler: Travel must comply with the following criteria:
- Distance of the journey is applicable for Salat-ul-Qasr (shortened prayer).
- Traveler’s journey is not intended for settling in that place.
- Journey is not commenced for any sinful purposes. If the above criteria are met, then a traveler can be exempted from fasting but he has to make it up for later days.
However, the ruling of travelling will not be nullified when:
- the traveler returns home (where he normally resides).
- the traveler decides to stay for an indefinite period of time which in turn implies that his case would be considered as ‘a resident’ instead of ‘a traveler’.
- A pregnant and breastfeeding woman: If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears for her health, her infant or fetuses or both, then she is exempted from fasting. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah has relieved the traveler of the fast and a part of the prayer, and has relieved the pregnant and the breastfeeding woman from the fast.” [Ahmed] She has to make up for the missed fasts later.
- A person who is suffering from intense hunger and thirst: Intense hunger and thirst is another reason to be exempted from completing the fast. Added to that, if a person expects an attack or he is surrounded by enemies in a state of intense hunger and thirst then even before commencing to fight he may break his fast. This is if he fears that fasting will cause weakness in his body during the battle.
Those who are not obliged to fast but must pay a ransom or compensation for not fasting
- An elderly and terminally ill person: Elderly and terminally ill men and women who do not have much possibility for being cured do not have to make up for the missed fast, rather they are required to feed a poor person a Mudd of food for each day of fasting that they missed based on the 184th ayah of Surah Baqarah. Though the ruling was abrogated for those who are sick , Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiAllahu anhu) stated that this ruling is not abrogated for the elderly person who is unable to fast. They have to feed one poor person for every day of their missed fasts.
- The last group of the discussion is compulsion. This refers to forcing a person to do or act against his will by imposing threats. Such a person is exempted from fasting and Allah knows best, asHe mentions in the Quran: “There shall be no compulsion in (acceptance of) the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in transgressions and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is the All-Hearing and the All-Knowing.” [Al-Quran, 2:256]
