Missing fast days due to illness

22-8-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have had very long menstrual cycles and abnormal bleeding for most of Ramadan this year. I went to my doctor, and they have found that I have two polyps in my endometri that could be benign or cancerous and will need surgery in the next few weeks. Allah willing, it is just benign, but even now, when I am not bleeding, the pain is so bad that I have not been able to fast when there is no blood present. The doctor recommended that I do not fast at all, but I have fasted nine days. I feel guilty and am unsure whether my condition is a good enough excuse to not fast? Also, for the days that I have missed; 10 for the normal menstrual cycle and 10 for heavy abnormal bleeding due to my condition; do I have to make up for those days, pay an expiation and make up for them, or just pay an expiation? And does my sickness exempt me from fasting?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If you had missed fasting on the days you were sick based upon the advice of a trusted doctor, then you bear no sin for it. You are only required to make up for the missed fast days due to menstruation and sickness, and no expiation is due on you.

Allah knows best.