Yes, you can break your fast if you experience extreme hunger that leads to a fear for your well-being, not just because you feel generally hungry.
According to Ibn Qudamah, "the correct view is that if he fears for himself due to extreme thirst or hunger and the like, then he may break the fast." This emphasizes that breaking the fast should not be based on a mere assumption or normal hunger but rather a genuine fear for your health because of extreme hunger or thirst.
Here's a breakdown:
When Can You Break Your Fast Due to Hunger?
- Extreme Hunger: Not just a passing feeling of hunger, but a severe sensation that causes real distress.
- Fear for Well-being: The hunger should be so intense that it makes you fear for your health.
When Should You NOT Break Your Fast?
- Normal Hunger: Ordinary hunger pangs that one typically experiences while fasting should not cause you to break your fast.
- Assumption: Do not break the fast simply because you assume you might get too hungry. You should only break the fast if the hardship has already started.
Practical Insights
| Situation | Can You Break the Fast? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Feeling slightly hungry during a fast | No | This is normal during fasting. |
| Feeling intensely hungry and weak, fearing health complications | Yes | If the hunger is causing extreme distress and you fear for your health. |
| Feeling thirsty from the fast | No, unless extreme | Normal thirst should be manageable until the end of the fasting period |
| Having extreme thirst that could cause harm | Yes | If the thirst is so severe that it threatens your health. |
Key Takeaway
It's important to differentiate between normal hunger experienced during fasting and extreme hunger that threatens your well-being. Breaking the fast is permissible in situations where the hunger is severe enough to cause fear for your health. Remember, a mere assumption of hardship does not justify breaking the fast.
