First and foremost, we’d like to make it clear that the religion of Islam seeks not to cause any hardship to its adherents or burden them beyond their capabilities. Easiness and facilitation among the main characteristics of Islam. Almighty Allah says, ( Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.)( Al-Baqarah 2:185)

This concept of facilitation and easiness in Islam is clearly manifest in its simple and flexible laws. Islam bears into consideration people who have certain excuses, thus easing its rulings in a way that such people will not face any hardship when abiding by Shari`ah precepts. The question in point serves as an example of how Islam seeks facilitation in its laws.

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: If a patient has to take medication for epilepsy, then they fall under the category of the sick. So, they did not break any rule, if they break their fast, for a sick person is excused from fasting if they cannot avoid taking medication.

If a fasting person can take the medication before fasting and that would be sufficient and would not interfere with their health, then they can continue fasting. If, however, they must take medication during the day at all times without fail, then it is advisable for him/her not to fast. In this case he/she needs to offer fidya by feeding a poor person for every single day of fast he has missed; he does not need to make up for the fast he has missed if his sickness remains with him forever. Remember, Allah’s laws are not intended to impose hardship on us. Allah says, (He wishes to grant you ease and He does not wish to impose hardship on you.) (Al-Hajj 22:78)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Allah loves His servants to make use of His concessions just as He loves them to carry out His orders.””