Dar received Fatwa Al-Masryah asked the question: Is Ramadan fasting fulfilled for conjoined twins if one abstains from things that break the fast and the other does not? Are they permitted to break the fast if the doctor warns against it out of fear for their lives?
The fatwa answered the question by saying: If twins conjoined in the heart or brain are united, they are one person, and fasting is fulfilled in his case by abstaining from things that break the fast.
However, if they are separated in heart and brain, then they are two independent individuals, and fasting is valid for them by both of them abstaining from things that break the fast. If one of them abstains but not the other, then the fast of the one who has achieved abstinence and no one else is considered valid.
If it is proven by specialist doctors that breaking the fast of one of them – for an excuse, impediment, or permission – has an effect on the fast of the other, such as if they share the stomach and intestines, such that if the person breaking the fast eats or drinks, access to the stomach and intestines that are shared between them occurs, then the fasting person is in the same ruling as one who is forced to have something enter his stomach without his choice, then his fast is valid in that case, and the one who broke the fast must make up these days if possible, otherwise he must pay a ransom – feeding a poor person for each day – or Two ransoms – depending on the type of twins and whether they are considered one person or two people – if one breaks the fast and is unable to complete the fast.
The ruling on breaking the fast for conjoined twins if the doctor orders not to fast
She explained that if a trusted doctor informs a specialist that fasting may lead to serious harm or imminent danger to one of the twins – such as causing health complications or a direct threat to the life of one or both of them – then the fast must be broken in such a case. In order to preserve life and preserve souls, and in accordance with the generality of the words of God, Blessed and Most High: “And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.” [البقرة: 195]And His Almighty said: “And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, God is Most Merciful to you.” [النساء: 29]And God Almighty says regarding fasting: “So whoever of you is sick or on a journey, then a number of days on other days.” [البقرة: 184].
In addition to what is stated in the legal rules and applicable controls that “the harm is removed,” as in “Al-Ashbah wa Al-Naza’ir” by Imam Al-Suyuti (p. 83, ed. Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah).
Imam Alaa al-Din al-Kasani said in “Bada’i’ al-Sana’i’” (2/94, ed. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah), explaining the extent of illness that necessitates breaking the fast in Ramadan: [والمبيح المطلق، بل الموجب: هو الذي يخاف منه الهلاك؛ لأن فيه إلقاء النفس إلى التهلكة، لا لإقامة حق الله تعالى، وهو الوجوب، والوجوب لا يبقى في هذه الحالة، وإنه حرام، فكان الإفطار مباحًا، بل واجبًا] Oh.
Imam Abu Abdullah Al-Kharshi said in “Sharh Mukhtasar Khalil” (2/261, ed. Dar Al-Fikr): [فإن خاف على نفسه الهلاك، أو أن يلحقه مشقة عظيمة، فإنه يجب عليه الإفطار؛ لأنَّ حفظ النفوس واجب ما أمكن، وإليه أشار بقوله: (ص) ووَجَب إن خاف هلاكًا، أو شديدَ أذًى (ش) أي: مشقة عظيمة… فمجرد الخوف كافٍ في وجوب الفطر، ولا يشترط وجود المخوف منه، وهو الهلاك، أو شديد الأذى] Oh.
Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami confirmed in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (3/429): [(ويباح تركه) أي رمضان ومثله بالأَولى كلُّ صوم واجب (للمريض) أي: يجب عليه (إذا وجد به ضررًا شديدًا)] Oh.
Imam Al-Khatib Al-Shirbini said in “Al-Iqna’” (1/244): [فإن خاف على نفسه الهلاك أو ذهاب منفعة عضو وجب عليه الفطر] Oh.
However, the ruling to make up the missed days, or to change that and pay the ransom – which is feeding a poor person after breaking the fast on a day of Ramadan, according to the type of twins, and considering them as one person obliged to pay one ransom or two people obliged to pay two ransoms – instead of fasting Ramadan, depends on informing the skilled and specialized doctor of the extent of continuity or interruption and the disappearance of the excuse preventing fasting.
