Understanding the Law of Drinking Medication to Delay Menstruation So That You Can Fast According to Islam and Medicine

YOGYAKARTA - Many Muslim women ask about the law of taking medications to delay menstruation so that they can fast, especially before Ramadan or the umrah. Is this step allowed according to Islamic law?

It is undeniable, the desire to carry out a full fast for one month is natural. However, the decision to take birth control pills needs to be considered from both religious and health aspects.

Ramadan fasting is an obligation for every Muslim who meets the requirements. However, the sharia law explicitly states that women who are menstruating are forbidden to fast and must replace it on another day.

The provision that women who are menstruating cannot fast during Ramadan is not a form of deficiency, but rather a part of the exemption (rukhsah) in Islam.

Quoted by VOI from the Indonesian Ulama Council website, Yusuf al-Qaradlawi in the book Fatawa Mu'ashirah explains that women are basically designed with a unique cycle in the form of menstruation.

Yusuf al-Qaradlawi prefers that the cycle be allowed to run naturally, then women are enough to make up for fasting outside Ramadan.

According to Yusuf al-Qaradlawi, accepting the menstruation provision as part of nature is much more important. Muslim women do not bear any sin when they do not fast because of menstruation.

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However, Yusuf al-Qaradlawi does not prohibit the use of birth control pills. He said that this can be done, as long as it is under the supervision of a doctor and does not pose a danger to health. The principle that must be maintained is that the use of pills does not damage the body's condition.

This view is in line with the principle of fiqh "la darar wa la dirar" which means that one should not harm oneself or others.

A similar opinion was also expressed by Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Hafnawi, Professor of Ushul Fikih, Faculty of Sharia and Law Thantha, Egypt. In Fatawa Syar'iyyah Mu'ashirah, he emphasized that there is no specific evidence from the Qur'an, hadith, ijmak, or qiyas that prohibits the consumption of menstrual delay pills.

However, Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Hafnawi gave an important note that if it is proven to be harmful to health, then the law becomes haram. Therefore, consulting a specialist doctor is highly recommended before consuming it.

In Indonesia, this issue has been discussed by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). In the Fatwa Commission meeting on January 12, 1979, MUI decided on several important points related to birth control pills.

First, the use of birth control pills for the sake of the hajj is permissible. Second, the use of pills to be able to fast throughout Ramadan is makruh. However, for women who have difficulty making up for fasting on another day, the law becomes permissible.

The use outside of these interests depends on the intention. If it leads to a violation of sharia, then it is haram.

From various opinions of scholars, it can be understood that the law of taking drugs to delay menstruation so that you can fast is basically not prohibited. However, some scholars are more inclined to let the menstrual cycle be natural and fasting is replaced outside Ramadan.

It is worth noting that Islam itself has given clear relief to menstruating women. Not fasting in this condition is not a sin, but a form of obedience to religious rules.

Therefore, the decision to use the pill should be considered carefully, both from the perspective of health and personal readiness.

In the end, the law of taking drugs to delay menstruation so that you can fast, the most important thing is to maintain health while carrying out worship according to the guidance of the sharia. If you choose to use drugs, make sure it is safe and under medical supervision. If not, replacing fasting on another day is still valid and in accordance with Islamic teachings.