By: Nur Syamila Kamarul Arefin
SERDANG, April 5 - Blood donors are still advised to donate blood even during the month of Ramadan so that the stock of blood supply does not decrease, said Dr. Mohamad Izameer Ashraf Mohd Amran, a medical officer at Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM).
“This is because there will be a reduction in regular donors due to fasting during the day and the urgency to perform Tarawih prayers after breaking the fast.
"When the stock of blood decreases, the hospital has to prioritise critical patients or victims of severe accidents in receiving blood supply," he said.
Dr. Mohamad Izameer said regular blood donors who were worried about their health could donate blood early in the morning and delay sahur (pre-dawn meal) to donate blood that day.
Dr. Mohamad Izameer, Universiti Putra Malaysia Teaching Hospital (HPUPM)
"However, for first-time donors, they are strongly encouraged to donate at night so that they do not hesitate to donate blood afterwards," he said.
Director of the University Islamic Centre, UPM, Zuhaimi Abdul Rahim, said since the law of cupping would not invalidate fasting, it was deducted that the law of donating blood also would not invalidate fasting.
Zuhaimi Abdul Rahim, Director of the University Islamic Centre, UPM
"The opinion of majority scholars such as the opinions of al-Imam Abu Hanifah, al-Imam Malik, al-Imam al-Syafi'ie and others say that fasting will not be invalidated for those who go for cupping therapy," he said.
He said the law of donating blood while fasting was permitted and would not invalidate the fast in general.
"If donating blood can weaken a person's body, then in that situation, it is makruh (strongly disapproved)," he said. - UPM
