Question:
I have diabetes type II, which is a non-insulin dependant diabetes. I don\'t use any medicine, I only control diet and I do some physical exercise to maintain right level of my sugar (blood). So my question is, is it obligatory on me to fast despite my disease? Can I test my blood during fasting times; \"causing blood to come from my fingers\"?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
It is prescribed for sick people not to fast in Ramadan, if fasting will cause harm or make the sickness worse, or if they need treatment during the day in the form of medicine of pills that must be swallowed, because Allah says: \"and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to magnify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.\" (2:185)
The Prophet (SAWS) said, \"Allah loves people to avail themselves of His concessions (rukhas) just as He hates them to commit sin.\"
According to Shaikh Ibn Baz, sickness is of various kinds:
1. That which does not affect the fast, such as a light cold or mild headache or toothache, and the like. In this case it is not permissible to break the fast.
2. If fasting is difficult for the sick person, but it does not harm him, then it is Makrooh (disliked) for him to fast and it is Sunnah for him to break his fast.
3. If fasting is difficult for him and will cause him harm, such as a man who has kidney disease or diabetes and similar cases where fasting will cause harm, in this case fasting is haram.

Hence we may see that some sick people make a mistake when they refuse to break their fast even when fasting is difficult for them and may harm them. We say that they are mistaken because they refuse to accept the kindness of Allah and the concession that He has given to them, and they are harming themselves, although Allah says, \"And do not kill yourselves.\" (4:29)
With regard to taking blood from veins for testing etc., the correct view is that this does not break the fast, but if it is done often, it is better to leave it until nighttime. If it is done during the day then, to be on the safe side, that day should be made up; because this is akin to cupping.
Allah knows best.
Responded by: Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen