Inability to fast due to substance abuse
Question
Will it be permissible for a recovering drug addict to break his fast and pay the Fidyah if fasting triggers him and causes him to relapse and take drugs?
Answer
Breaking one’s fast and paying the Fidya on the basis of substance abuse is not an acceptable excuse in Shariah. He should utilize the courage within him and keep the fast in full. If he breaks the fast due to succumbing to his desires, then both Qadha and Kaffarah will be obligatory.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
فصل في العوارض
لمن خاف زيادة المرض، أو بطء البرء الفطر ولحامل ومرضع خافت نقصان العقل أو الهلال أو المرض على نفسها أو ولدها نسبا كان أو رضاعا، والخوف المعتبر ما كان مستندا لغلبة الظن بتجربة أو إخبار طبيب مسلم حاذق عدل، ولمن حصل له عطش شديد أو جوع يخاف منه الهلاك، وللمسافر الفطر (ثمرة النجاح ص613-615)
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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