Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan?

dhobi_bhai · September 5, 2008, 6:30pm

Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan when you are fasting? Please shed some light on it, from ahadith/Quran perspective.

Submission_To_Peace · September 5, 2008, 8:52pm

Re: Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan?

I was wondering about the same just yesterday. I would try to find out any source. But I am not sure if it is allowed while fasting as it might cause damage to health.

Submission_To_Peace · September 6, 2008, 12:31am

Re: Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan?

Donating blood a noble Ramadan deed- By Annie Freeda Cruez
   KUALA LUMPUR: A Muslim donating blood during Ramadan does not mean he is breaking the fast. It is in fact a blessed act.
The eminent Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi says: "Blood donation is the best assistance a man can offer a patient who needs a blood transfusion due to blood loss or surgery.
Donating blood is a highly esteemed deed, as it saves the life of a human being whether he is a Muslim or not.

“Its virtue is explicitly clarified in the Quranic verse in which Allah says: ‘Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and who so saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind’ (Al-Ma’idah: 32).”

The National Blood Bank is calling on Muslims to continue donating blood during the fasting month because it needs to stockpile blood for daily needs and emergencies, and also for the long holidays next month.

“Donating blood is a noble deed and one can donate blood while fasting if one is strong. We recommend that Muslims donate after breaking fast in the evening,” blood bank director Datuk Dr Yasmin Ayob told the New Straits Times.

Source: Donating blood a noble Ramadan deed- By Annie Freeda Cruez -

dhobi_bhai · September 6, 2008, 3:38am

Submission To Peace, thanks for researching and finding out. My concern, after going through the entire article, is the following:
"Its virtue is explicitly clarified in the Quranic verse in which Allah says: 'Whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and who so saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind' (Al-Ma'idah: 32)."
In the above text, it does not explicitly mention that blood donation is allowed during Ramadan. It does list that it is a noble act to follow...
"Donating blood is a noble deed and one can donate blood while fasting if one is strong. We recommend that Muslims donate after breaking fast in the evening," blood bank director Datuk Dr Yasmin Ayob told the New Straits Times.
I was looking for more, ahadith reference or even a Holy Quran reference rather than a reference from someone (above). It could very well be a noble act, I don't doubt the authencity of the article. But if you donate in the middle of your fast, are you still in fasting mode after you donate or does this act forces you to break your fast?

cricketplaya · September 6, 2008, 3:51am

Salam bro, have a read here:

It is not recommended to donate blood while fasting unless there is an absolute necessity to do so.

Drawing lots of blood may make a person weak and thus he may be forced to break his fast. So indulging in such an activity is not at all recommended as we are advised to keep our fasts intact as best as possible.

Moreover, there are scholars who are of the opinion that drawing lots of blood would invalidate one’s fast. This is the view of Imam Ahmad. However, Imam Ash-Shafi`i and others are of the view that drawing of blood by itself does not break the fast, but one is not encouraged to do so as it may render a person weak.

The ruling, however, is different when faced with an emergency. Such is the case when one must donate blood to save a person’s life; in this case one must do so without any hesitation; it is better for him to break his fast if he has to than continuing his fast.

Another exception: If a person is exceptionally strong and is certain that donating blood would not render him weak at all, then there is no harm for him in donating blood, according to the view of Imam Ash-Shafi`i and others.

In conclusion: Each person should consider his own state of health before embarking on this action.

Donating Blood while Fasting - IslamonLine.net - Ask The Scholar

Note: this is not Hanafi view but you can say that Hanafi view would be along the same lines even invalidating the fast. Insh’Allah if I come across anything I will post it.

dhobi_bhai · September 7, 2008, 4:02am

Re: Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan?

Walikum Assalam, thanks for researching and sharing with us. Reading this, it has answered my question.

sweetu · September 7, 2008, 3:20pm

Re: Is donating blood allowed during Ramadan?

hmm i have just found something on ur q so i thought i would share

**The fifth of the things that invalidate the fast is letting blood by means of cupping **
**Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The cupper and the one for whom cupping is done have both invalidated their fast.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2047. **
**Donating blood comes under the same heading as cupping, because it affects the body in the same way. **
**Based on this, it is not permissible for a person who is fasting to donate blood unless it is essential, in which case it is permissible. In that case the donor has broken his fast and must make up that day later on. Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 71 **

so ccording to this donating blood invalidates a fast
do correct me if im wrong agay Allah knows best