Date : 29-06-2015

Question :

What is the ruling of Sharia on taking appetit suppressants that restrain one's appetite during the month of Ramadan?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.



There is no harm in taking the above medications; particularly, by a person who faces great hardship due to hunger and fears that it could lead to the breaking of his fast. This is provided that such medications aren`t harmful to health; therefore, the opinion of a trustworthy doctor must be sought in this regard. However, we would like to stress that taking such medications as a show of discontent with fasting is discouraged, for fear of losing the reward of the fast. On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (PBUH), who said: "Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: "Fasting is Mine and it is I who give reward for it. [A man] gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake. [Agreed upon].



In addition, Having them would cause a person to miss fasting objectives; gaining piety, the sensation of Allah's Graces, feeling the poor and the like of fasting virtues.



Such medications are also discouraged because they could lead to missing the intentions behind this great act of worship, such as fearing God, realizing His favors, understanding how the poor feel and the like. Therefore, we don`t recommend taking them, save by the person who is suffering from an unordinary intensified state of hunger. And Allah, The Almighty Knows Best.