Experiencing a severe headache when fasting


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Q 2: I broke fast for twenty-five days during Ramadan, and fasted for only five days. This is because I get a terrible headache all day whenever I fast. I even suffered from a painful headache during the five days that I fasted, to the extent that I could barely prostrate while praying. Before this year, I fasted normally without suffering any headaches. (Part No. 9; Page No. 93) Due to my misunderstanding of religious texts concerning asceticism and renouncing worldly pleasures, I would spend one or two days without having even one meal. This resulted in my suffering from a constant headache for ten months. I checked with a doctor who prescribed me some drugs and ordered me not to skip any meal and not to starve myself. Therefore, whenever I fast or skip a meal, this terrible headache strikes me. Kindly give me your Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) in this regard before the next Ramadan comes or death overtakes me.


A: You have to make up for the days on which you broke fast during Ramadan as soon as possible. Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. You do not have to do anything else, unless you postpone making up for the missed days while being able to do so until the next Ramadan comes. In this case, you would have to make up for the days and also feed a needy person one and a half kilograms of foodstuff for every day you broke fast. There is nothing wrong with making up for these days separately.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.




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