Does Injecting an Injection Break The Fast?

Ayatollah Khamenei

Question: What is your esteemed opinion regarding injections and other forms of injections for fasting individuals during the holy month of Ramadan?

Answer: It is obligatory precaution that a fasting person avoids nourishing or strengthening injections and any injection administered into the vein, as well as certain types of IV fluids. However, injections given into the muscle or those used for anesthesia do not pose an issue.

Question: Is it permissible to inject IV fluids or strengthening injections while fasting?

Answer: According to obligatory precaution, one should avoid the injection of IV fluids and strengthening injections while fasting.

Question: Does injecting a vaccine into the muscle or under the skin invalidate the fast?

Answer: It does not invalidate the fast.

Ayatollah Sistani

Question: Does receiving a vaccine invalidate the fast?

Answer: Receiving a vaccine does not invalidate the fast.

Question: Does blood transfusion invalidate the fast?

Answer: Blood transfusion does not invalidate the fast.

Question: Does injecting IV fluids or an oral injection invalidate the fast, whether the patient is in need or not?

Answer: In both cases, it does not invalidate the fast.

Ayatollah Wahid Khorasani

Issue 1584: Injection of medicines or those used for numbing the area is not problematic. However, it is recommended that fasting individuals avoid injections that replace food or water.

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

Issue 1339: All types of medicinal or strengthening injections that are injected into the muscle, as well as muscle injections for vaccines, are not problematic for fasting individuals. However, the injection of intravenous fluids (administered into the vein) is not allowed. Additionally, based on obligatory precaution, blood transfusion invalidates the fast. The fasting individual must refrain from actions that invalidate the fast for the rest of the day, and based on obligatory precaution, they must also perform the qadha (make up) for that day.

Question: What is the ruling on injecting medications and IV fluids while fasting?

Answer: All types of medicinal or numbing injections given intramuscularly, as well as intramuscular vaccine injections, are not problematic for fasting individuals. However, intravenous injections and fluids (administered into the vein) are not allowed.

Ayatollah Shabiri Zanjani

Issue 1585: Fasting individuals should avoid using IV fluids or injections that replace food, but medicinal injections and those used for numbing the area are not problematic.

The Virtues of Fasting During the Holy Month of Ramadan

Although detailing all the virtues of the holy month of Ramadan is beyond the scope of this article, mentioning a few of them from the perspective of the Quran and Islamic traditions is beneficial.

The Greatest Month of the Lunar Year

The holy month of Ramadan is the greatest among the lunar months due to the revelation of the Quran in it and its unique characteristics. The Quran states: "The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind."

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says about Ramadan: "O people! The month of God with blessings, mercy, and forgiveness has come to you. It is the month that is superior to all months in the sight of God, and its days are better than all other days, its nights are better than all other nights, and its hours are superior to all other hours. In this month, you have been invited to the banquet of God, and His grace has been bestowed upon you. Your breaths in it are an act of praise, your sleep is an act of worship, your deeds are accepted, and your prayers are answered..."

The Revelation of the Quran in Ramadan

All major heavenly books such as the Quran, Torah, Gospel, Psalms, and Scriptures were revealed in this month. Imam Sadiq (AS) states: "The entire Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan to the Bayt al-Ma'mur (a place in the sky), and then over the course of twenty years, it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Scriptures of Abraham were revealed on the first night of Ramadan, the Torah on the sixth of Ramadan, the Gospel on the thirteenth, and the Psalms on the eighteenth."

The Blessing of Fasting

In Ramadan, God grants His servants the blessing of fasting: "So whoever sights the month (of Ramadan) should fast."

Humans, in addition to their physical and material aspect, have a spiritual and emotional dimension that requires specific programs to reach perfection. One such program to enhance the spiritual side is through piety and abstinence. To develop spiritually and reach the ultimate purity and perfection, one must control their desires and remove obstacles to growth, avoiding indulgence in physical pleasures. Fasting is one of the most effective practices in this regard, as the Quran says: "...O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."