Praise be to Allaah.
It is prescribed for sick
people not to fast in Ramadaan, if fasting will cause harm or make the
sickness worse, or if they need treatment during the day in the form of
medicine or pills that must be swallowed, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of
days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other
days”[al-Baqarah 2:185]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Allaah loves people to avail themselves of His concessions
(rukhsah) just as He hates them to commit sin.” According to another
version, “As He loves His commands to be obeyed.”
With regard to taking blood from veins for testing etc., the
correct view is that this does not break the fast, but if it is done often,
it is better to leave it until night-time. If it is done during the day then
to be on the safe side that day should be made up, because this is akin to
cupping.”
(Fatwa of Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him),
from Fataawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 139)
Sickness is of various kinds:
1 – That which does not
affect the fast, such as a light cold or mild headache or toothache, and the
like. In this case it is not permissible to break the fast, even though some
of the scholars permitted that because of the aayah (interpretation of the
meaning):
“and whoever is ill…”[al-Baqarah 2:185]
But we say that this ruling is based on a reason, which is
that not fasting is easier. If that is the case, then we would say that not
fasting is better, but if fasting does not have an effect on him then it is
not permissible to break the fast, and he has to fast.
2 – If fasting is difficult for the sick person, but it does
not harm him, then it is makrooh for him to fast and it is Sunnah for him to
break his fast.
3 – If fasting is
difficult for him and will cause him harm, such as a man who has kidney
disease or diabetes and similar cases where fasting will cause harm. In this
case fasting is haraam. Hence we may see that some mujtahids and sick people
make a mistake when fasting is difficult for them and may harm them, but
they refuse to break their fast. We say that they are mistaken because they
refuse to accept the kindness of Allaah and the concession that He has given
to them, and they are harming themselves, although Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“And do not kill yourselves”[al-Nisa’ 4:29]
al-Sharh al-Mumti’ by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, vol. 6, 352-254.