Diabetes and fasting
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Firstly, using an injection does not break ones fast. Therefore, if the diabetic patient can fast throughout the day by using the insulin injection then this will not render ones fast invalid.
(Ahsanul Fatawa p.432 v.4)
However, if you need to consume solid foods every few hours and have to forgo the fasts in Ramadhan, then one should keep them at another time during the year, maybe during the shorter days. Consult with a Muslim doctor if there is some way to retain enough insulin through certain diets through the duration of the fast.
If this is not possible then you are considered incapable of fasting and thus it will be permissible for you to forgo your fasts and pay fidyah instead. (Maraqi Falah p.453)
The fidyah for each fast is similar to how much one gives for sadqah fitr. This is to give 1.6 kg of wheat or 3.2 kg of barley or the equivalent of the above in cash (£2 – £3). (Raddul Muhtar p.532 v.2)
It must be remembered if the patient somehow becomes capable of fasting again, all the missed fasts will have to be made up again, even if you have already paid fidyah for them. (Fatawa Hindiyyah p.207 v.1)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
