Fatwa ID: 06588

Answered by: Muftiyah Safiyya-Maryam Ahmed

Question:

I am having some trouble sleeping at night due to foot cramps. The absence of sleep is affecting my fast the next day. From a shariah point of view will it be OK for me to not fast and address the problem? It started all of a sudden and I am not sure what’s causing this.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

May Allah Ta’ala grant you full shifaa. It is not clear from your question how the absence of sleep is affecting your fast- is it a lack of energy or a need to take medication etc?

From the information, you have given it will not be valid to avoid fasting due to foot cramps. Rather you must consult with healthcare professionals to address the problem and in the meantime continue fasting; if you cannot sleep at the night consider medication for this, do what you can of worship in that time, and have a healthy suhoor. Then in the daytime catch up on sleep if you can.

“Fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a journey, then [make it up] on other days later. For those who can fast only with extreme difficulty, there is a way to compensate- feed a needy person. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you if only you knew.” [2: 184]

Only Allah knows the best

Written by Muftiyah Safiyya-Maryam Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham