Can I Skip Fasting for an IVF Embryo Transfer?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I delayed IVF for years due to gynecological issues, including surgery and pre-cancerous cells. I used a Mirena coil to reverse these conditions, suppress fibroids, and treat adenomyosis.

With a clear biopsy, I can proceed once the coil is removed. The removal coincides with Ramadan and requires a full bladder, which means missing a fast.

Is this permissible?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

If you are unable to change the treatment dates and might get an appointment at a later date, possibly after many months, as is often the case in many countries, it would be permissible to miss the fast and proceed with the treatment.

However, if this is not the case, try to book an appointment before or after Ramadan.

Allah (Most High) says, “Fast a prescribed number of days. But whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then (let them fast) an equal number of days (after Ramadan).” [Quran, 2:184]

If you do proceed with the treatment and do not fast on the day, you will do a makeup (qada) fast. Missing a fast only requires making it up. The expiation (kaffara) is only due if you deliberately broke a fast in Ramadan. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Significance of Ramadan Fasts

Narrated from Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever does not fast one day in Ramadan without having a concession allowing that, fasting for a lifetime will not make up for that.” [Ibn Majah]

Principle

Sharia allows ease and flexibility when fulfilling religious obligations becomes difficult or harmful.

Preserve Health Without Guilt

Take steps to preserve your health without guilt when there’s a valid excuse, and make up any missed fasts to honor Ramadan.

Balance commitment with wisdom. Allah hasn’t placed hardship on you, and sincerity in your actions and worship matters.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.