Question

‎السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْوَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
I pray that you and your family are well and are enjoying this blessed month.

Dear Shaykh.
I have a important question regarding fasting and medication. Allah (SWT) has given me big test with my sight. I have been getting double vision for the last 2 months. I have had various tests done to determine a diagnosis for my condition. Today the Neurologist has confirmed it to be condition called Myasthenia, which is an autoimmune condition effecting the muscles by weakening it.
He has has prescribed various medication in tablet form. It’s needs to be taken throughout the day, increasing the dosage over a period of a month. My question is that do I not fast and start to take this medication straight away as advised by the Neurologist or wait until Ramadan is over then start.

Your advice on this will be much appreciated.
‎جَزَاكُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرً

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of truth

Based on the NHS website some forms of medication such as pyridostigmine only last a few hours which is why they have to be taken multiple times throughout the day. This medication reduces muscle weakness which helps the patient control their symptoms. If you feel that it is possible for you to continue how you are without taking the medication, and by doing so your symptoms will not severely worsen during this time, then you should start taking the medication after Ramadan. If however, by not taking the medication your symptoms will severely worsen whereby the process of treatment will then be impacted, or if it is extremely difficult for you to continue how you are, then it would be permissible for you to start taking the medication and keep your fasts at a later date.

And Allah knows best

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel

الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (2/ 422)
(أو مريض خاف الزيادة)

لمرضه وصحيح خاف المرض، وخادمة خافت الضعف بغلبة الظن بأمارة أو تجربة أو بأخبار طبيب حاذق مسلم مستور

(قوله خاف الزيادة)

أو إبطاء البرء أو فساد عضو بحر أو وجع العين أو جراحة أو صداعا أو غيره، ومثله ما إذا كان يمرض المرضى قهستاني ط أي بأن يعولهم ويلزم من صومه ضياعهم وهلاكهم لضعفه عن القيام بهم إذا صام

(قوله وصحيح خاف المرض) أي بغلبة الظن كما يأتي، فما في شرح المجمع من أنه لا يفطر محمول على أن المراد بالخوف مجرد الوهم كما في البحر والشرنبلالي