Fasting with diabetes

1-11-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have diabetes and take tablets to control it. I can take tablets before the Suhoor and after Ifthar. The doctor normally says that it is not good to fast. I myself did not feel that much difference last year when I kept fasting. What is the ruling on me fasting?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

Diabetes as a chronic disease has many forms. There is diabetes that is very hard for the diabetic person to fast and causes harm to him, and there is diabetes that is not so.

Therefore, we advise you to consult a trustworthy doctor in this matter. If the doctor is of the view that fasting harms the diabetic person, then he can break the fast, because the doctor is more proficient in this matter. The fact that you fasted previously and did not notice any harm does not mean that fasting does not harm you. It might be that its harm is gradual, or could result by fasting continually and repeatedly. Allaah says (what means): {And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allaah is Most Merciful to you.} [Quran 4:29] Moreover, the Prophet said: "There should be no harm nor reciprocal harm." [Maalik, Ahmad and Ibn Maajah]

If a diabetic person breaks the fast and can not make it up, he has to feed one poor person for every day he missed, as Allaah says (what means): {…but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days…} [Quran 2:184] Ibn 'Abbaas said (while interpreting this verse): "This verse has been revealed as a permission for the elderly man or elderly woman who could not fast, so they must feed a poor person for every day that they break the fast." [Al-Bukhari and others]

However, if the doctor determines that the diabetic person can fast without any hardship, then it is obligatory on him to fast.

Allaah Knows best.