In chapter 2 verse 183 of the Glorious Qur’an, Allah states why He made fasting compulsory upon the believing Muslims as follows: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting, as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”

The cited verse briefly explains why Ramadan fast is a must for every Muslim. However, Allah is so gracious in His mercy, as He permitted some people to stay away from Ramadan if they find themselves in some difficult situations, in which travelling and sickness are some of these conditions.

In the two verses which follow verse 183 of the same chapter 2, that is, verses 184 and 185, Allah mentioned that if any one of the Muslims who is to fast is sick or travelling, it is not binding on him or her to fast. That is, he or she is allowed to pay back the missed days of fast on another day, when he is okay.

Below are some of the people who can leave Ramadan fast.

1. Pregnant woman

Islamic scholars have explained that if a woman is pregnant, especially when the pregnancy is heavy, she is allowed to stay away from fasting in the month of Ramadan. The wisdom behind this is that she will need to meet up with her daily nutritional requirements, which is not just for her, but also for the unborn baby/babies in her womb.

What the pregnant woman will do after giving birth and is physically fit, is to pay back the number of days she did not fast in the month of Ramadan.

2. Traveler

A traveler, who is embarking on a very long journey which is highly demanding is allowed not to fast. Although, there are opinions by some Islamic scholars that a traveler has the option of fasting or not to fast depending on the demands of his journey.

3. Nursing mother

Women who breastfeed their babies need a lot of nutritious food to replenish the ones they lose through the breast milk their babies suck from them. She is one of the people allowed not fast Ramadan

A nursing mother will count the number of days she misses Ramadan and then pay them back when she is fit to fast.4. Person on special medication/sick person

In chapter 2 verses 184 and 185, Allah mentioned that a sick person is allowed to leave fast and pay it back in days in which he will be okay health-wise. Islam does not put burden on anybody just because he wants to worship his Creator.

Allah said he wants ease for the fasting Muslims and not difficulties.

5. Menstruating woman/woman who just gave birth

Some women menstruate between three to five days. During these periods, menstruating women are permitted to stay away from fasting.

6. Glutton

A glutton is a person who eats every now and then. A person who falls in this category has great health challenge. What he needs to do is to find a fasting Muslim and takes charge of his Sahuur (pre-dawn meal eaten by a fasting Muslim) and Iftaar (food taken to break fast).

7. Aged person

If a person is of advanced age and has gotten to a feeble state, he is permitted not to fast.

8. Underage/minor

Some parents train their children by urging them to participate in Ramadan. Some of these children end their own fast, sometimes by 12 noon or 3pm or even 6pm. Ramadan is only compulsory upon a Muslim, who has reached puberty. However, parents encourage some of their children to start fasting at an early age in order for them to get used to it.

9. Surgery patient

If a person performs any type of surgical operation, he will need much time to recover. And he will need much food and drinks to help become fit, thus he is allowed to fast when he becomes okay.

10. Type I diabetes patient

There are two types of diabetes. These are Type I and Type II.

Type I is a very serious diabetes. It requires more than just taking insulin injection as in Type II. Type I demands regular medical checkup and treatment. All these will affect a person, therefore his fasting Ramadan.

One important thing to note about those who miss Ramadan fast based on the above listed is that some of those categories of people like the pregnant women, nursing mothers, travelers and their likes will pay back their missed days of not fasting.

On the other hand, an aged person will pay back his own fast by feeding a fasting Muslim in the month of Ramadan.