Answered by Shaykh Ilyas Patel
Last year, my friend underwent open heart surgery and although his recovery is AlhamduLillah going well, he still must take medication 3 times a day. This medication is a)long term medication i.e many years and b) related to sustaining normal blood pressure levels and preserving an installed heart valve.
What is the ruling regarding this brother and his fasting during ramandhan?
If he ever comes off or manages to reduce the medication, will he have to make up the fasts he missed?
He is trying to reduce the medication to twice daily. In that situation, should he fast i.e by taking medication before sunrise and after sunset? If he fails to wake up for suhoor, he still must take the medication. What do you advise?
May Allah bring good to you and your family.
Salaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant your friend and us all health (shifa’) and well-being (`afiya), and may He grant him and us all good in this life and the next.
If he misses the fasts he will have to make them up later, but it would be best if he can adjust his medication before Suhur and after Sunset. If he fails to take his medication before Suhur on some day in Ramadhan, then he should postpone his fast for the next day in order to maintain treatment and take the medication.
And Allah Knows Best