His Eminence's answer to inquiries about fasting the holy month of Ramadan with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic

It has been said many times in recent days that fasting is one of the obligatory acts of worship which must be performed by individuals ...

970929-d-35-300x200-300x200 1

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful

Salamun 'Alaykum

It has been said many times in recent days that fasting is one of the obligatory acts of worship which must be performed by individuals who fulfill the conditions of fasting excluding travelers and patients or those who fear for themselves of falling ill as a result of fasting or individuals whose poor state of health worsens or deteriorates.

In my opinion, the criterion for not fasting is to fear for oneself of falling ill or when it is feared that an illness may worsen. The fear must have a rational basis or otherwise a committed and faithful doctor should diagnose it in which case fasting is no longer obligatory and if, in this case, he observes fast, he is deemed to have sinned.  On the contrary, if a person is healthy and one has no fear of any harm or falling ill, it is obligatory on him to fast and not fasting would entail a penalty.

If a person cannot fast for one reason or another, he has no right to eat out in public as it is essential to preserve the respect and sanctity of the holy month of Ramadhan.