Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother Burhan,

Asalam-O-Alikum,

I am in a fix. I have decided to quit smoking and for that i have started the treatment of nicotine patches one and a half month ago. The whole course is for two and a half months which means almost a month left for the completion of course. So far its been a great success. From day after tomarrow Ramadan will start inshallah. My question is can i use the patches during my fast or i can only use it after Aftar? Normal use of the patch is either 24 hour or it can be used early in the morning after the sleep till the end of the day before going to bed (16 hours).

I will be really greatfull to you if you guide me ASAP as their is just a day left in Ramadan. I am really sorry for asking this question so late and asking you to reply promptly just because of my own laziness.

May God keep everyone in Peace (Amen).

Waslam.  

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Nictoine Patches during fasting

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Although the wearing of the nicotine patch in itself would not directly effect the status and validity of your fast, it would be best if possibly you could apply the patch after sunset until dawn; that would be the absolute best solution.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan