Ramadan and COVID-19, what the experts say in the United Arab Emirates

With Ramadan just a few days away, many Muslims around the world are wondering if fasting may present an increased risk of COVID-19 disease; due to dehydration. This is a logical question, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage the world, and people are advised to maintain fluid intake to keep mucous membranes moist. 

The question of fasting is also asked by non-Muslims who resort to "intermittent fasting," a pattern of eating that alternates periods of fasting and feeding. Ramadan will probably begin on April 23rd, depending on the sighting of the moon. In fact, Muslims cannot suspend one of the main cults and a key pillar of Islam unless one of the world's leading Islamic institutes has issued a Sharia fatwa. But is this the right time to fast? Does fasting weaken the immune system? Does fasting cause dehydration?

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and health experts, people are advised to drink plenty of fluids, particularly by gargling with warm water and drinking liquids to keep the throat and airways moist. 

Experts say that drinking water prevents dehydration, but will not prevent anyone from getting the new coronavirus. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, said that while medical professionals recommend maintaining fluid intake when sick, drinking more water won't prevent anyone from contracting the virus. 

Recent scientific studies show that fasting is the secret to a healthier and longer life. According to the UK-based National Institute on Aging, evidence from decades of research in animals and humans shows extensive health benefits from intermittent fasting. 

The institute conducted a review of the research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which noted that hundreds of animal studies and dozens of human clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting can improve health conditions with respect to issues such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurological disorders. 

However, the review found that more research is still needed to determine whether intermittent fasting produces benefits or even if it is feasible for humans when practiced over the long term, such as for years. 

Ali Ahmad Masha'el, Grand Mufti at the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, said that "fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam, and nothing can excuse one from not fasting, except sick people who take medicine and for whom not eating complicates their health. 

He added that there are legitimate reasons why one can be excused from fasting as mentioned in the Holy Quran, such as illness and travel: "Fear of illness is not an excuse for a Muslim not to fast. Islam allows sick people, whose health condition prevents them from fasting, and they are advised by their Muslim doctors, who know the virtues of fasting; in this case, not to fast because it can put their lives at risk". "But if a healthy person fears hardship and tiredness or is afraid of getting sick, he or she is not allowed to break the fast," he explained. 

The Grand Mufti declared that fasting is a reflection and a purification of both body and soul. Fasting is also good for human health, as modern medicine and scientific studies have shown. "Fasting has been found to have beneficial health effects, backed up by recent scientific studies," he said. 

With regard to patients infected with COVID-19, he clarified that "it is permissible not to fast if the health condition of a patient infected with coronavirus is critical and his/her doctor recommends that he/she does not fast because he/she needs to keep drinking water and taking medication. 

Al-Azhar al-Sharif, the leading Sunni Islamic institution in the Muslim world, issued a statement noting that Muslims should fast this year, and fasting has nothing to do with the possibility of an increased risk of coronavirus.