One of required worships of Islam is the requirement that all Muslims who are of legal age, sane and physically capable is fasting during the month of Ramadan. Allah ﷻ said in surah Al-Baqarah verse 183:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous
But because of the physical and spiritual factors specified in Islamic law, women are not forbidden to fast during their menstrual cycle and required to replace it when they are clean. This is said by prophet Muhammad ﷺ ﷺ in his hadeeth from Aisyah RadhiyAllah ﷻu anha:
كنا نحيض على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثم نطهر، فيأمرنا بقضاء الصيام ولا يأمرنا بقضاء الصلاة
“We were on period on the time of Prophet PBUH, and then we were clean, He told us to replace(qadha’) the fasting and not the shalat.” (HR At-Tirmidzi).
To ensure they can fast uninterruptedly for the entire month of Ramadan some women have recently turned to taking medicine to postpone their periods. There are significant concerns regarding this practices Islamic permissibility. Using reputable fatwas and academic viewpoints this article examines the Islamic ruling on the subject.
Menstruation and Fasting from an Islamic Perspective
In Islam, women are not allowed to fast during their periods because they are regarded as a normal physiological process. After Ramadan they must make up the fasts they missed. In recognition of the mental and physical difficulties women encounter during their periods Allah ﷻ has granted this exemption as a favor. But for some women the desire to fast nonstop during Ramadan may be so strong that they think about taking medicine to postpone their period.
Also read:Worship During Ramadan While Commuting
The Sharia Standings of Postponing Menstruation with Medication
Many Islamic scholars and organizations have addressed the use of medication to postpone menstruation in order to observe fasts. It is generally accepted to be acceptable as long as the womans health is unharmed. Islamic law prioritizes preventing harm and any behavior that endangers the body is discouraged. This ruling is founded on this principle.
1. Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah: According to a fatwa issued by Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah taking medication to postpone menstruation in order to fast is acceptable as long as it doesnt negatively impact the womans health. To ensure safety the fatwa stresses that the medication should only be taken under a doctors supervision.
2. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz: This topic was also covered by the late Saudi scholar Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz who said that if a medication is safe and does not cause harm it is acceptable to use it to postpone menstruation. He emphasized that this action is being taken in order to fulfill the fasting obligation which is a commendable objective.
3. Jordanian Fatwa Committee: Similar to this the Jordanian Fatwa Committee decided that taking medicine to postpone menstruation is acceptable as long as it is done under a doctors supervision and doesnt present any health risks. As a way to facilitate worship the committee pointed out that this practice is not against Islamic principles.
Also read:Zakat: Is It Better to Distribute It Yourself or Through an Organization?
Prerequisites for Acceptance to Postpone Menstruation using Medication
Although it is generally acceptable to take medication to postpone menstruation researchers have identified some restrictions:
1. No Harm to Health: The womans physical or mental health cannot be harmed by the medication. Such medications are not allowed to be used if there is a chance of negative side effects.
2. Medical Supervision: To guarantee the medications safety and suitability for the patient it should be taken under the supervision of a trained medical practitioner.
3. Sincere Intention: The medication should only be used to fast in worship of Allah ﷻ not for practical or other materialistic purposes.
Practical and Ethical Aspects
Even though this practice is acceptable from sharia stance, women should still think about its moral and practical implications. Since missing fasts during the menstrual cycle is a normal occurrence it is not sinful. The requirement for women to make up the missed fasts later is a simple one. People who want to fast continuously without sacrificing their health should consider using medication to postpone their periods as an option rather than a necessity.
Also read:Tips for Completing the Qur’an During Ramadan
In conclusion
In conclusion, as long as it is safe and does not cause harm taking medication to postpone menstruation in order to observe a full fast during Ramadan is acceptable in Islam. A number of Islamic scholars and organizations such as the Jordanian Fatwa Committee Sheikh Ibn Baz and Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah support this ruling. But before taking such drugs women should put their health first and consult a doctor. The choice should ultimately be made sincerely and after carefully considering the relevant Islamic precepts.
References
- Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah. (n.d.). *Hukm siyam man akhadhat dawaa’ li-man‘ al-hayd*. Retrieved from [https://www.dar-alifta.org](https://www.dar-alifta.org)
- Dorar.net. (n.d.). *Tanaawul al-dawaa’ li-ta’khir al-hayd*. Retrieved from [https://dorar.net](https://dorar.net)
- Jordanian Fatwa Committee. (n.d.). *Hukm akhdh al-mar’ah dawaa’ ta’khir al-hayd*. Retrieved from [https://www.aliftaa.jo](https://www.aliftaa.jo)
- Ibn Baz, A. A. (n.d.). *Hukm isti‘maal huboob man‘ al-‘aadah al-shahriyyah fi Ramadan wa ghayrih*. Retrieved from [https://binbaz.org.sa](https://binbaz.org.sa)
