Issue 859: It is forbidden to fast on Fitr and Qurban Festivals (Festival of Fast and Festival of Sacrifice). It is forbidden to fast on the day of which one is not certain whether it is the last day of Sha’ban or the first day of Ramadhan.

Issue 860: If a woman violates her husband’s rights by keeping recommended fasts, she must avoid keeping such fasts; and as a recommended precaution, if her husband does not allow her to observe recommended fasts (not for causing annoyance), she must avoid observing such fasts.

Issue 861: If a person knows that fasting is not harmful to them, they must observe their fasts, even if the physicians say that fasting is harmful to them; and if a person is certain or feels that fasting is harmful to them, they must not observe fasts, even if the physicians say, fasting is not harmful to them, and if they fast, their fasts will not be valid.

Q862: What is the case of fasting on Ashura (the tenth of Muharram) and Festival of Sacrifice?

A: It is forbidden to fast on the Festival of Sacrifice but legally disapproved (Makruh) to fast on Ashura.

Q863: If fasting does not cause any ocular pain or discomfort but shortens one’s eyesight, will it still be obligatory for them to fast?

A: Fasting must be avoided, because if it is likely for fasting to be harmful to a person, it will no more be obligatory for them to fast, let alone the fasting which is certainly harmful to a person; unless the harm done to the eyes is so subtle that can be ignored.

Q864: Does breaking one’s fast of Ramadhan due to illness depend on the physician’s diagnosis and permission, or is it possible for the person to make decisions based on their own feelings and rationalistic probabilities concerning the harm?

A: The criterion is the person’s feelings and findings regarding the probable harms. Thus, if they think that fasting is harmful to them, and if the probability is rationalistic and common, for instance, if it is based on the physician’s diagnosis and the person’s own experience, fasting will not be obligatory for them and they must break their fast.