When to know you can't fast Ramadan?
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Salam everyone,
I've been on and off on this forum for a while. A couple of years ago, I left Islam completely so stopped coming here. Now, I am slowly making my way back although still as confused as ever.
Now, I have a question. I know that God said that you don't have to fast Ramadan if you are sick, but how can you know if you are sick enough to not fast?
Just a bit of history. I've not been well at all the past two years. I've had an autoimmune disease for seven years but it got triggered two years ago again. It's ok though, I can handle it. I also got pregnant and had a really difficult complicated pregnancy and almost lost the baby. Elhamdulelah though he is fine. Since, I've had the baby, my health has been really bad. I've been on a lot of antibiotics and I've been going to doctor after doctor. Last week, I ended up in the hospital for five days with a 39.5 fever. The doctor told me that I need to take care of my health, eat well, exercise and so on. This is what I want to do since frankly I am fed up of being sick all the time.
The problem is, Ramadan is coming in a month time, and I know that my health detoriorates badly during that month. I am not the kind of person who can eat a lot after Iftar. My stomach shuts down and I end up eating very little during that month and I lose weight. So, I am not sure what to do. This is not an open and shut case. If I had a very serious disease like a heart condition or something, I would have taken the license not to fast. But my case is not so straightforward. I am not well, I am fatigued, and since I came out of the hospital all I want to do is sleep, which is tough with a baby. But at the same time, I am not bed ridden. I am still a functioning person. So, should I go ahead and fast anyway or what? I am confused, as always (
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Peace Confused, all,
The problem is, Ramadan is coming in a month time, and I know that my health detoriorates badly during that month. I am not the kind of person who can eat a lot after Iftar. My stomach shuts down and I end up eating very little during that month and I lose weight. So, I am not sure what to do. This is not an open and shut case. If I had a very serious disease like a heart condition or something, I would have taken the license not to fast. But my case is not so straightforward. I am not well, I am fatigued, and since I came out of the hospital all I want to do is sleep, which is tough with a baby. But at the same time, I am not bed ridden. I am still a functioning person. So, should I go ahead and fast anyway or what? I am confused, as always (
I think the answer to your question can be found in the following verse of Al-Quran (The reading).
Quran 2184 A few number of days. Whoever of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days. As for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for him. And if you fast it is better for you if only you knew.
I recommend this post.
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9606587.msg353957#msg353957
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Salam everyone,
I've been on and off on this forum for a while. A couple of years ago, I left Islam completely so stopped coming here. Now, I am slowly making my way back although still as confused as ever.
Now, I have a question. I know that God said that you don't have to fast Ramadan if you are sick, but how can you know if you are sick enough to not fast?
Just a bit of history. I've not been well at all the past two years. I've had an autoimmune disease for seven years but it got triggered two years ago again. It's ok though, I can handle it. I also got pregnant and had a really difficult complicated pregnancy and almost lost the baby. Elhamdulelah though he is fine. Since, I've had the baby, my health has been really bad. I've been on a lot of antibiotics and I've been going to doctor after doctor. Last week, I ended up in the hospital for five days with a 39.5 fever. The doctor told me that I need to take care of my health, eat well, exercise and so on. This is what I want to do since frankly I am fed up of being sick all the time.
The problem is, Ramadan is coming in a month time, and I know that my health detoriorates badly during that month. I am not the kind of person who can eat a lot after Iftar. My stomach shuts down and I end up eating very little during that month and I lose weight. So, I am not sure what to do. This is not an open and shut case. If I had a very serious disease like a heart condition or something, I would have taken the license not to fast. But my case is not so straightforward. I am not well, I am fatigued, and since I came out of the hospital all I want to do is sleep, which is tough with a baby. But at the same time, I am not bed ridden. I am still a functioning person. So, should I go ahead and fast anyway or what? I am confused, as always
Hey Confused,
I'm very sorry to hear about the state of your health. Insha'allah I hope you will receive peace in your mind and your body. I think one section of 2184 that Taro Hiroshi posted answers your question "As for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy."
You've stated you can survive Ramadan (and you've done it before), but you've also stated how difficult it is for you. I think you should use your best judgment on this. Personally, I would not fast. Take care of yourself and your baby. It sounds like you will need all your strength to do it.
Could you make money or food donations to the poor during this time? Or could you volunteer at a local soup kitchen?
Best wishes to you. I hope your health improves. Sending hugs your way.
Peace. ) group
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You should take good care of your health seriously. You have had too many rough times. It is better that you dedicate a stretch to pur yourself in order and later on, when you are in good health, think of fasting for the next year or the year you have overcome your health problems. You hav a child and you should feel capable with him, not crippled, if you can avoid it.
As our friends have said from the Qur'an, to feed some needy person or do whatever is equivalent, but nowhere in the Qur'an says health is to be neglected.
And do not suffer so much out of confusion. Be easy on yourself, be gentle on yourself, like I am sure, you try to be to other people. Being a mother is a great blessing, not a punishment, so do not make on you harder than necessary. There are already hardships that come without our willing them. Keep yourself strong for those.
Best wishes
Salaam
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Yes, don't WORRY about the fasting. There's no point in destroying the body just out of fear of not doing the right thing. Worry eats us up from inside. The human being is a very complex creation. The mind, and the blood, are extremely complex things. Seek help from our Rabb. Worry is a kind of blindness, not easy to overcome. Above all, seek help from the Rabb, and state your prayers in the positive.