Who is exempt from fasting

Who is Exempt from Fasting in Islam?

Fasting (Ṣawm – صَوْم) during Ramadan is a fundamental pillar of Islam, obligatory upon every Muslim who is capable. It is an act of worship, self-discipline, and devotion to Allah ﷻ, meant to increase taqwa (piety) and spiritual purification. However, Islam is a religion of mercy and ease, and Allah ﷻ does not require fasting from those who are genuinely unable due to health or other valid reasons.

Allah ﷻ states in the Quran:

﴿وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾

“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (they must fast) a number of other days (later).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

This verse highlights that fasting is not meant to cause undue hardship. Certain individuals, including the sick, travelers, menstruating women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly, are exempt. Depending on their situation, they may make up the fasts later or pay fidyah (feeding a poor person per missed day).

This article explores who is exempt from fasting in Islam, with Quranic and Hadith references, emphasizing Islam’s mercy and fairness in matters of worship.

Categories of People Exempt from Fasting

The following groups of people are exempt from fasting in Ramadan:

The Sick (المرضى)

A person who is ill or suffering from a medical condition is excused from fasting if fasting will:

Worsen their illness
Delay their recovery
Cause extreme hardship

Allah ﷻ explicitly mentions this exemption in the Quran:

﴿وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾

“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (they must fast) a number of other days (later).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Ruling on the Sick Person

If the illness is temporary, the person must make up the missed fasts later.
If the illness is chronic or lifelong, the person must pay fidyah (feeding a poor person for each missed day).

Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said:

«رُخِّصَ لِلشَّيْخِ الْكَبِيرِ أَنْ يُفْطِرَ وَيُطْعِمَ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِينًا وَلَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِ»

“The elderly person is allowed to break his fast and should feed a poor person for every missed day, and he does not have to make it up.”
(Sunan Ad-Daraqutni 2/207, Sahih)

The Traveler (المسافرون)

Travelers are permitted to break their fast during Ramadan if the journey is:

Long enough (approximately 80-90 km or more).
Outside the city/town of residence.

Allah ﷻ says:

﴿وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾

“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (they must fast) a number of other days (later).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Ruling on the Traveler

If the journey is difficult, breaking the fast is better.
If the journey is easy, fasting or not fasting is a personal choice.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«لَيْسَ مِنَ الْبِرِّ الصِّيَامُ فِي السَّفَرِ»

“It is not righteousness to fast while traveling (if it causes hardship).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1946, Sahih Muslim 1115)

However, if fasting does not cause difficulty, one may choose to fast.

Menstruating and Postnatal Women (المرأة الحائض والنفساء)

Women who are menstruating (حيض) or experiencing postnatal bleeding (نفاس) are exempt from fasting during Ramadan. In fact, it is forbidden (haram) for them to fast, as their condition makes fasting invalid.

Aishah رضي الله عنها said:

«كُنَّا نُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ وَلَا نُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّلَاةِ»

“We were commanded to make up the fasts (missed due to menstruation) but were not commanded to make up the prayers.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 321, Sahih Muslim 335)

This Hadith confirms that menstruating and postnatal women are not required to fast, but they must make up the missed fasts after Ramadan. However, missed prayers do not have to be made up, as this would be an excessive burden.

Ruling on Menstruating and Postnatal Women

Fasting is prohibited during menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
Missed fasts must be made up after Ramadan.
No expiation (fidyah) is required, only qada (making up the fasts).

This exemption highlights Islam’s mercy, ensuring that women do not endure undue hardship while still fulfilling their religious obligations.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women (المرأة الحامل والمرضع)

Pregnant and breastfeeding women are exempt from fasting in Ramadan if they fear that fasting will cause harm to their health or the health of their child. Islam prioritizes the well-being of the mother and baby, granting them ease in such circumstances.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَضَعَ عَنِ الْمُسَافِرِ الصِّيَامَ وَشَطْرَ الصَّلَاةِ وَعَنِ الْحَامِلِ وَالْمُرْضِعِ الصِّيَامَ»

“Indeed, Allah has lifted the obligation of fasting from the traveler and has also lifted fasting from the pregnant and breastfeeding woman.”
(Sunan An-Nasa’i 2274, Hasan)

Ruling on Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

If fasting does not harm them or their baby, they should fast as normal.
If fasting causes hardship or risk, they may break their fast and:
- Make up the missed fasts later (if able).
- Pay fidyah (feeding a poor person per missed day) if unable to fast in the future.

This ruling reflects Islam’s mercy and flexibility, ensuring that no mother is burdened while safeguarding both her spiritual obligations and physical health.

The Elderly and Weak (الكبير العاجز عن الصيام)

Elderly individuals who are too weak to fast due to old age or chronic health conditions are exempt from fasting in Islam. If fasting causes them extreme hardship or deteriorates their health, they are not required to fast and instead must pay fidyah (feeding a poor person per missed day).

Allah ﷻ says in the Quran:

﴿وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُۥ فِدْيَةٌۭ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍۢ﴾

“And upon those who are able (but with extreme difficulty), a compensation (is due) – feeding a poor person (for each missed day).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه explained:

“The old man and old woman who are unable to fast should feed a poor person for every day of fasting and they do not have to make up the fasts.”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Ruling on the Elderly

If an elderly person can fast without extreme difficulty, they should fast.
If fasting causes harm or unbearable hardship, they are permitted to break their fast and pay fidyah instead.

This ruling reflects Islam’s mercy, ensuring that no one is burdened beyond their ability.

Alternatives for Those Who Cannot Fast

Make Up the Missed Fasts (Qada – قضاء)
- For temporary exemptions like illness or travel.
- Fasts must be made up before the next Ramadan.
Pay Fidyah (فدية)
- For permanent conditions like chronic illness or old age.
- A poor person is fed per missed day.
No Obligation
- For menstruating women, only fasts need to be made up, but prayers do not.

Conclusion

Fasting in Islam is a profound act of worship and devotion, but Allah ﷻ, in His infinite mercy and wisdom, has granted exemptions to those who face genuine difficulties in fasting. These exemptions ensure that no believer is burdened beyond their ability, reflecting the compassion and flexibility of Islamic law.

Allah ﷻ says:

﴿يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ﴾

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, or facing menstruation are permitted to break their fast and either make up missed fasts later or pay fidyah, depending on their condition. These rulings emphasize that Islam is a balanced and merciful religion that prioritizes health, well-being, and ease.

Even for those unable to fast, the doors of rewards and blessings remain open through charity, prayer, and other good deeds. May Allah ﷻ accept our fasting and worship, grant ease to those who are unable to fast, and reward them for their intention and sincerity. Ameen.

Who is exempt from fasting?