Fasting is one of the most important rituals of Islam, and Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

“O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be God wary” (2:183).

Now, as Ramadan is around the corner and the novel Coronavirus is continuing to spread globally, many Muslims worldwide are wondering if fasting could pose a higher risk of catching the COVID-19 virus, due to dehydration. They may raise some more questions, as is it safe to fast during this global pandemic? Doesn’t it weaken our immune system? And some wonder if they could be exempted from fasting to prevent catching this disease and remain healthy.

Let’s have a look at this question -to fast or not to fast? - from two different aspects: Science-based and religion-based. 

Does Dehydration Make us More Prone to Catching Coronavirus?

According to the WHO and health experts’ recommendations, people are advised to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and stay healthy. Still, it will not prevent anyone from catching the new Coronavirus.

“Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases expert at Vanderbilt University, said the claims are incorrect. While medical professionals typically recommend keeping up fluid intake, Schaffner said drinking more water will not keep anyone from catching the virus. “We always caution anyone healthy and people who are sick to keep up the fluid intake and keep mucus membranes moist,” he said. “It makes you feel better; there is no clear indication that it directly protects you against complications.” [1]

Does Fasting Weaken our Immune System?

No, in fact, many scientific studies have shown the wide-ranging health benefits of intermittent fasting in boosting our immune system and living a longer life. The New England Journal of Medicine has recently published a review of research on the beneficial effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease:

“Evidence is accumulating that eating in a 6-hour period and fasting for 18 hours can trigger a metabolic switch from glucose-based to ketone-based energy, with increased stress resistance, increased longevity, and a decreased incidence of diseases, including cancer and obesity.” [2] 

Even more interestingly, although some study claims that prolonged water fasting could have a slightly detrimental effect on the immune system, it also shows that immunity returns to a better state soon after eating and drinking again. [3]

What Do Islamic Jurists Say about Fasting during this Pandemic?

First of all, the obligation of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is an individual duty, and anyone who has the conditions to do so must fast, regardless of whether it is obligatory for others or not. According to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani, one of the well-known Islamic jurists, if a Muslim fears that he/she will catch Coronavirus, even if he/she takes all precautionary measures, he/she will be relieved of the obligation for each day he/she remains in fear of catching the disease – if he/she were to fast. However, if he/she can reduce the probability of catching the disease so that it becomes reasonably insignificant – even by staying at home and not mixing closely with others, using a mask, medical gloves, frequent disinfection and so on – such that it does not cause unbearable difficulties for the individual, his/her obligation to fast is not waived. [4]

Another Islamic jurist follows the same line and adds that if a doctor forbids someone from fasting, due to the high risk of getting this virus, that person is not allowed to fast. But this should not lead to disrespecting others that fast and eating in public [5]. Many other Islamic jurists also confirm the fact that one should decide if fasting is risky for him/her or not. If “an individual has a reason to believe that fasting will cause illness, intensify or prolong an illness, or delay one’s recuperation,” he/she is not obliged to fast. But he/she should make up for the missed fastings later in the year [6].  However, some other Islamic jurists consider fasting an obligatory practice whose obligation is not lifted in this period, except if one thinks there is a high probability of getting the disease by fasting [7].   

After all, it is essential to note that fasting in Islam is expected of those who are healthy enough to do so: “Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you” (2:185)

 And sick people who fear that fasting may make them worse, risk their health or slow down their recovery are permitted not to fast:
“But should any of you be sick or on a journey, let it be a [similar] number of other days. Those who find it straining shall be liable to atonement by feeding a needy person” (2:184).

In conclusion, regarding the feedback received from the World Health Organization, fasting has nothing to do with the possibility of an increased risk of catching coronavirus. On the other hand, it is not easy to say for sure whether fasting offers some level of protection and immunity against the COVID-19 virus during this global crisis, so we’d better stick to the things we know would work: social distancing, avoiding gatherings, performing rituals separately, hand-washing, hygiene, and self-isolation.

References:

1. drinking water to prevent coronavirus
2. Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease
3. Fasting during Ramadan can boost your immunity
4. fatwa on fasting
5. Makarim Fatwa
6. Khamenei
7. Golpaygani

1. The World in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

This world is a bridge, pass it and don't get attached. 

Sheikh al-Mufid, Al-Amali, p.43.

2. You Reap What You Sow

Everyone is after the reward [that comes at the end], and no one will get it except through hard work. 

Mizan al-Hikma, hadith no. 22083.

3. The Lasting Lights

Good for the ones who pray at the heart of the night; those are the ones who will inherit a lasting light. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.510.

4. Faithfulness in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

A tree is perfected only through giving fruit, as faithfulness is only accomplished through avoiding what is forbidden (Haram). 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.511.

5. Beware of Your Eyes

Be careful about what you are looking at since the mere act of looking [at something inappropriate] will put the seed of desire in your heart, which would later turn into a disaster. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.502. 

6. Most Cherished Ones

Good for the ones who make amends among people; those are the most cherished on the Day of Judgement.

 Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.501. 

7. Servants of This World

O' servants of the world! You are like a lamp that gives light to people and burns itself instead. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500324.

8. Modesty in Private and Public

As you present modesty and humbleness among people in public, be modest and humble with regard to God in private.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500325.

9. A Fruitful Heart in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s View

Verily, planting is only possible on arable land, not a barren one. Similarly, wisdom only grows in a humble and ready heart, not an arrogant and prejudiced one. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500332.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone looks upon the stars, but none finds his/her way using them, except the one who knows their places and how they work. Similarly, you will learn wisdom, but only the one who practices wisdom will be guided.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500336.

11. Inappropriate Words' Echoes 

Any offensive and inappropriate word that you say today will be responded later on the Day of Judgement.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500341.

12. Patience in Jesus Christ (PBUH)'s Words

Water puts the fire out, just as patience calms anger down.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500347.

13. Perfect Faith as Jesus Christ (PBUH) Describes 

Water and soil are the determining factors for a good harvest, just as knowledge and manner are the keys to perfect faith. 

Tuhaf al-Uqul, Hadith no.500350.

14. Don't Be Just After this World 

The one who is only after this world is like a person drinking seawater; the more he drinks, the more he gets thirsty and finally will bring him death. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.149.

15. This World and The World that Is to Come

Jesus Christ (PBUH) said to the apostles: "As much as you get tired in this world, you will rest in the other world, and as much as you rest in this world, you'll get exhausted on the world that is to come."

Ismaiil Jawuhari Farabi, Al-Sahah, vol.1, p.225.

16. The Root of All Evil

Beware that the root of all evil lies in loving this world extremely. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.129.

17. Water and Fire

Loving this world and striving for the other world cannot come together in a believer's heart, as water and fire cannot be put together on a plate. 

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.131.

18. God's Friends 

If you want to be among God's friends and chosen ones, be kind to the one who does you wrong, and forgive the one who has done you an injustice, and greet the one who turns his face from you.

Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.503.

19. A Magnificent Person 

Whoever knows and brings what he knows into practice and teaches others, is considered a magnificent person in Allah's regard.

Warram b. Abi Firas al-Hilli, Tanbih al-khawatir wa nuzhat al-nawazir, vol.1, p.82.

20. The Most Wretched One

The most wretched among you is the one who is only known by his/her knowledge, not his/her deeds. 

Bihar al-Anvar, vol.2, p.52.