Ayatollah Khamenei’s Fatwa on Fasting during Coronavirus Pandemic
According to the Leader’s website, the Istifta was related to fasting in the holy month of Ramadan considering the spread of COVID-19.
In response, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that fasting is a Wajib (obligatory) deed and a blessing for people.
It is among the bases of spiritual elevation and perfection and had been obligatory for people before advent of Islam, the Leader said, stressing the great effects of fasting, including purifying the soul and strengthening steadfastness in the face of difficulties.
Ayatollah Khamenei said in the Fatwa that skipping fasting in the holy month of Ramadan is not allowed unless one becomes certain that it would cause infection or intensify the disease or prolong the disease.
The certainty can be achieved by consulting a qualified and religiously committed doctor, the Fatwa said.
In that case, Qadha (compensation) for the missed any missed fasting is obligatory, it added.
The fasting month of Ramadan will begin next week as the COVID-19 disease is spreading in the world.
The coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, has infected over 2.3 million people around the world and killed more than 160,000.
