I wanted to know what should a person do if they take medication three times a day, recommended to be taken with a meal, during ramadan or if they have replacement fasts to do. Would they be allowed to fast and still take the tablets as long as they do not eat any food apart from water with the tablets?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Firstly, you will need to consult with a Muslim doctor to ascertain whether it is a life and death matter for a person to take three tablets a day. If the medication is such that you need to take them every day during the fasting period then you may forgo the fasts in Ramadhan and keep them at another time during the year, maybe during the shorter days.

If is not possible to keep the replacement fasts even during the shorter days 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)

The patient will not be allowed to fast and continue taking the medication during the fasting period.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham