Ramadan · RUKN
Ramadan: concise, sourced answers
These answers address common Ramadan questions through Sunni legal guidance, identifying differences where authorities disagree. Read them alongside the full fasting guide rather than as a replacement for it. They do not provide individual medical advice.
Does smoking break the fast, or does it only reduce its reward?
Smoking cigarettes breaks the fast according to Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta. This is a validity ruling, not merely a warning about reduced reward. By contrast, Malaysia’s Federal Territories Mufti Department says lying reduces the reward of fasting without invalidating the fast. Whether conduct invalidates a fast and whether it reduces its reward are therefore separate questions. Dar al-Ifta, smoking; Federal Territories Mufti Department, lying.
Do injections invalidate fasting?
Not all injections have the same ruling. The International Islamic Fiqh Academy lists subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections as non-invalidating, while excluding perfusions and nutritional fluids from that allowance; Jordan’s Iftaa’ Department rules nutritional intravenous injections invalidating. Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta takes a different view, treating even nutritional intravenous and intramuscular injections as not invalidating the fast. This is a genuine disagreement, not a universal yes-or-no rule. Academy, Resolution 93; Jordan, medical questions; Egypt, injections.
Can a woman fast while menstruating if she feels able?
No, under the ruling stated by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta. Menstruation and postnatal bleeding prohibit fasting; physical ability does not change that rule. Missed Ramadan fasts are made up later. Aisha’s report distinguishes these from missed prayers, which were not ordered to be made up. Dar al-Ifta, menstruation; Sahih Muslim 335c, sahih.
What if menstruation begins shortly before iftar?
If menstruation begins during the fast, the day must be made up. The ruling concerns its beginning before the fast ends, not how many hours have already been completed. Jordan General Iftaa’ Department, ruling 4109.
Must pregnant or breastfeeding women make up fasts or pay fidyah?
The answer depends on the reason for not fasting and the school of Islamic law being followed. Hanafi guidance requires make-up fasts when able, without fidyah for pregnancy or breastfeeding itself. Jordan’s Iftaa’ Department requires make-up fasts for harm or unusual hardship affecting the mother, but both make-up fasts and fidyah where the fear is solely for the fetus or infant. Neither answer is a medical assessment of an individual pregnancy. Darul Iftaa Chicago; Hanafi breastfeeding guidance; Jordan’s ruling.
Can a missed fast be made up on Eid?
No. Fasting is prohibited on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Make-up fasting should not be scheduled on those days. Sahih al-Bukhari 1990, sahih.
Can I pay fidyah instead of making up missed fasts?
Not as a general substitute. Temporary illness and travel require an equal number of later fasts. Fidyah applies to lasting inability, including incurable illness preventing fasting, under the cited ruling. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and delayed make-up fasts have additional school-specific rules. Quran 2:185; Dar al-Ifta, inability to fast.
Does delaying make-up fasts always mean an extra fidyah?
No. Hanafi guidance does not impose an extra fidyah simply because another Ramadan begins. The cited Shafi‘i guidance distinguishes unjustified delay from a continuing valid excuse and waives the delay-related fidyah for the latter. The obligation to make up the fasts remains. Hanafi guidance; Federal Territories Mufti Department, continuing excuses.
For any question involving treatment, do not change prescribed medicine to fit fasting hours without professional advice. The NHS guidance recommends discussing fasting and medication with a healthcare team or pharmacist. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Related reading: Fasting in Islam: obligations, exemptions and missed fasts · When does the daily fast begin and end? · Ramadan hub.
