Prof. Ljevaković: Let non-fasting people donate blood during Ramadan

Prof. Dr. Enes Ljevaković, fetva-i-emin on the official website of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, answers citizens' questions regarding their dilemmas. One of the frequently asked questions, especially during Ramadan, is whether voluntary blood donation breaks the fast, writes the Patria News Agency.

One citizen states that he is a regular blood donor, and given that he has the time, he only donates platelets. During the process of extracting platelets from the blood, the donor receives a considerable amount of fluid intravenously.

- The last time I responded to a call, although I was warned that this type of donation breaks the fast. Of course, the staff, besides kindly informing me that I was breaking my fast, also informed me that the case was urgent (someone's life was at stake) and that they had no other donor for that day. Following the logic of the value of life, I agreed, and after breaking my fast with an infusion, I did not consume food or drink until sunset, and I intend to fast that day of Ramadan. Regardless, I am uneasy. Did I make a mistake by practically intentionally breaking my fast for the aforementioned reason – wrote the citizen.

Prof. Ljevaković replied that he did not make a mistake by breaking his fast in the mentioned case, as it was an emergency and a matter of saving a life.

- You should fast that day. In principle, Muslim blood donors should avoid donating blood during fasting and inform the relevant personnel about it. Fasting is more important than voluntary blood donation, as it is a personal obligation (fard al-'ayn), while voluntary blood donation is a good deed, but not a personal obligation. Let non-fasting people do it during Ramadan – Ljevaković says in his response.