Using asthma inhalers during the fasting hours of Ramadan
Question
What is the ruling concerning the use of inhalers during the fasting hours of Ramadan?
Answer
Inhalers are devices used by asthma patients or others with breathing problems. They contain a pressurized inactive gas that propels medicine, which the patient inhales, through the mouth thus allowing breathing to return to normal. The use of these inhalers invalidates fasting because they carry liquid medicine in the form of droplets that reach an internal cavity through the mouth, which is itself an open orifice. The claim that inhalers merely transport gas is inaccurate since this gas is accompanied by liquid medicine in the form of droplets.
The ruling
1) It is permissible for a person who finds it necessary to use inhalers to break his fast.
2) It is obligatory for a person to refrain from fasting if he fears for his life should he not use the inhaler during the fasting hours of Ramadan, even if his condition remains with him for a long time or is chronic.
3) If medical experts determine that a person's condition is chronic, it is obligatory upon him to make compensation by feeding a needy person for each missed fast-day.
4) It is not obligatory upon a person who recovers and is able to fast to make up his missed fast-days, and the compensation he previously made is sufficient. Because the obligation of fasting is waived due to his condition, the compensation is obligatory and not a substitute to fasting.
And God Almighty knows best.