:: Ramadhan Fasting or .....? ::

justamuslim

nice post!

i don't think of feeding the poor as a means of punishment for not fasting though. God could have said any number of things to do if you don't fast but why feeding the poor? will share my thoughts on this later (don't have time now) but has anyone else thought about it and care to share your thoughts.

mmkhan

@mmkhan

nice post!

i don't think of feeding the poor as a means of punishment for not fasting though. God could have said any number of things to do if you don't fast but why feeding the poor? will share my thoughts on this later (don't have time now) but has anyone else thought about it and care to share your thoughts.

Salaam JustAMuslim,

Thanks.

Looking forward for your thoughts, inshaAllah.

mmKhan

luna

Well, 2183 is not necessarily mean that there is only one method of fasting. Did I say that? hmm

heh no you didn't say that. But What I'm saying is that our way of fasting isn't necessarily the same as Maryam's. What God is saying in this verse is that fasting was prescribed upon us just like it was also prescribed on others before.

anyway

I wanted to show even if you take "kuli wa ishrabi" means "eat and drink", here is a proof in 1926 that you can do so while abstaining.

So what do the words "kuli" and "ishrabi" mean in this verse? You said the word "kulu" means "consume". You also said
here are no two words in AlQuraan giving a single meaning

let's apply this to verse , according to you here the words "kuli wa ishrabi" can't mean "eat and drink". So you can't use it to prove that we can eat and drink while abstaining. Also, here God would be asking Maryam to consume and "ishrabi" (you didn't explain what ishrabi means). Consume what?

You replied to "There's no mention in verse of the word "ishrabu". It's "ushribu", which means "made to absrob" in this context. The two words are different." by saying

Are those two words not derived from the same root? I am sorry again to disagree with you on this.

They are derived from the same root. However, if you use the simplest form of each verb one would be "yashrab = to drink" and the other "ashrab = to make absorb or to infuse." Not all words that are derived from the same root have the same meaning.

AlQuraan is not specially for those who used to travel on camels and on foot. You already know that, so how can we apply this today?

You're right, but same applies for today's means of transportation. Traveling by car over long distances is not easy, one will faint without enough nutrition. Some of us can fast while traveling by plane but how about those who have 12 hour flights?

Shahr does not mean a month. Please use search option of free-minds to get its information.

I will look it up. Even though the verse seems self explanatory to me.
Also, if the word "shahr" doesn't mean month, what do you refer to by
I understand, it has to be completed in other days of "same month"

Also

Saying "an number of months" of course don't make sense. But it would have said "complete your count in other months". But that is not the case.

Yeah, instead God says "an number of other days". And He doesn't specify of which month these days should be. So why limit it?

When you are near to God while abstaining, it is always good to collect as much favors from His as possible instead of decision-making for other things, thinking about teaching process, etc. etc. Isn't it?

Well, I disagree on this one. I believe that our work is important just as our worship, and God doesn't want us to abandon everything and isolate ourselves for any number of days. Governors, ministers, teachers, policemen, doctors, etc would all disappear and go silent. I can't begin to imagine the amount of harm that would be caused.

357

@mmkhan

nice post!

i don't think of feeding the poor as a means of punishment for not fasting though. God could have said any number of things to do if you don't fast but why feeding the poor? will share my thoughts on this later (don't have time now) but has anyone else thought about it and care to share your thoughts.

Firstly feeding the poor gets people on your side, you become the good guy naturely, yes?

Look to Mary , she abstained as she was being taunted ,"walk away".

Then in 492

saum for killing a person when you can't give anything to the family of the deceased

It is essentially to avoid or abstain from situations where one may be taunted or reproached. So it is essentialy to stop problems getting out of hand.
Abstain from/avoid situations where your interaction may exasperate the problem.

However this is just my view though.

Wakas

peace mmkhan,

No, it can't be used. There are no two words in AlQuraan giving a single meaning.

I have seen a few people say this, but they cite no evidence other than their own statement. What is your evidence?

Let's be clear such a theory would be impossible to prove per Quran.

Thus, why use an impossible to prove theory to govern how one interprets Quran?

Here is an example I like to cite

idrib bi AAasaka al hajara fa infajarat min hu = strike with your staff the rock, then vented from it (twelve springs)
idrib bi AAasaka al hajara fa inbajasat min hu = strike with your staff the rock, then gushed from it (twelve springs)

Please tell us the difference between the words in bold. Thanks.

justamuslim

interesting thought.....but i think 'sawm' means abstinence from food, water, sex. this understanding is based on looking at what fasting is in judaism. as God says, fasting was enjoined before. granted jewish practices have been corrupted heavily by rabbis with their rules and rituals, still i think the essence of fasting has not. even before judaism, people fasted.

jews fast for many days in the calendar year for short or longer periods of time. "yom kippur" being the most important. abstaining from food, water, sex for 25 hours except if you are ill. this day is spent in prayer and seeking atonement. very spiritual day. seeking forgiveness from those you have wronged and from God for all the wrong doings. fasting is seen as means of returning to God, attaining a state of purity. and this is what God says in the Koran - the purpose of fasting.

there are other minor fasts in judaism. fast of esther is for 3 days. as far as i know, fasting for 30 days straight was not practiced by the jews. so if we are to fast 30 days, abstaining from food, water, intercourse from sunrise to sunset for 30 days straight then for God to say that he enjoined fasting on us as he did before is not really accurate unless God meant it is not the same for muslims as it was for people before. meaning people before only fasted may be 1-3 days (no food/water from sunrise to sunset or like in yon kippur for 25 hrs) but muslims fast (going without food or water from sunrise to sunset for 30 days straight in the month of ramadan.

jewish practice of yon kippur makes a whole lot of sense to me than the muslim practice of ramadan. yes, it is hard to fast for 25 hrs or 3 days but yes, i can see how this practice can only be good for the soul. unless you are ill or traveling, setting aside one day (or three days) to engage in prayer, seeking forgiveness, repentence, reconnecting with family, community, God.... sure can see how fasting can lead one to attain piety.

later on, will share my thoughts on why i question and don't think fasting is for the entire month as people practice/believe.

357

interesting thought.....but i think 'sawm' means abstinence from food, water, sex. this understanding is based on looking at what fasting is in judaism. as God says, fasting was enjoined before. granted jewish practices have been corrupted heavily by rabbis with their rules and rituals, still i think the essence of fasting has not. even before judaism, people fasted.

jews fast for many days in the calendar year for short or longer periods of time. "yom kippur" being the most important. abstaining from food, water, sex for 25 hours except if you are ill. this day is spent in prayer and seeking atonement. very spiritual day. seeking forgiveness from those you have wronged and from God for all the wrong doings. fasting is seen as means of returning to God, attaining a state of purity. and this is what God says in the Koran - the purpose of fasting.

there are other minor fasts in judaism. fast of esther is for 3 days. as far as i know, fasting for 30 days straight was not practiced by the jews. so if we are to fast 30 days, abstaining from food, water, intercourse from sunrise to sunset for 30 days straight then for God to say that he enjoined fasting on us as he did before is not really accurate unless God meant it is not the same for muslims as it was for people before. meaning people before only fasted may be 1-3 days (no food/water from sunrise to sunset or like in yon kippur for 25 hrs) but muslims fast (going without food or water from sunrise to sunset for 30 days straight in the month of ramadan.

jewish practice of yon kippur makes a whole lot of sense to me than the muslim practice of ramadan. yes, it is hard to fast for 25 hrs or 3 days but yes, i can see how this practice can only be good for the soul. unless you are ill or traveling, setting aside one day (or three days) to engage in prayer, seeking forgiveness, repentence, reconnecting with family, community, God.... sure can see how fasting can lead one to attain piety.

later on, will share my thoughts on why i question and don't think fasting is for the entire month as people practice/believe.

Okay.

But please keep in mind one thing- fasting according to the present day translation is for all people not sick or travelling - i think, so how about all them people on drugs now, remember things like diabetus and blood pressure just to name two where not known earlier on and were not classed as a sickness (as no fever is involved) , the food fasts can kill such people, i wonder how many were killed because of this understandimg of a fast!
And all the people taking drugs for certain diseases can't take them either as they are not classed as sicknesses - no fever , all these are just recognised now as illnesses and not when the quran came at all.
If they were classed as illnesses when the quran came i would love to read about it if you know where it tell us of such .

peace

mmkhan

heh no you didn't say that. But What I'm saying is that our way of fasting isn't necessarily the same as Maryam's. What God is saying in this verse is that fasting was prescribed upon us just like it was also prescribed on others before.

Salaam luna,

Thanks. I have two questions here.

1- If it isn't necessarily the same saum as Maryam's, then what could be the reason of mentioning it in AlQuraan?
2- How do we confirm, how was saum prescribed upon others before us?

anyway

So what do the words "kuli" and "ishrabi" mean in this verse? You said the word "kulu" means "consume". You also said
let's apply this to verse , according to you here the words "kuli wa ishrabi" can't mean "eat and drink". So you can't use it to prove that we can eat and drink while abstaining. Also, here God would be asking Maryam to consume and "ishrabi" (you didn't explain what ishrabi means). Consume what?

How I understand this is. Whatever "kuloo and ishraboo" means in 2187 in relation to saum is not referring to "food and drink", same words used in 1926 for singular feminine as "kuli and ishrabi" referring to food mentioned in 1924-25. This means "kuloo and ishraboo" always comes with what it is referring to.

This clearly shows that "kuloo and ishraboo" is not always referring to "food and drink", otherwise those two aayaats will contradict each other.

Please check the following

260
260 And when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, "Strike with your staff the stone." And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah , and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

Please note, "kuloo and ishraboo" clearly refers to "rizqi Allah". Rizqi Allah refers to provision of Allah not necessarily referring only to food and drink.

5217
5217 Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and pleasure

5218
5218 Enjoying what their Lord has given them, and their Lord protected them from the punishment of Hellfire.

5219
5219 Eat and drink pleasantly for what you used to do

Here also "kuloo and ishraboo" is referring to whatever is given, not necessarily referring to only food and drink.

6922
6922 In a high garden

6923
6923 Its to be picked hanging near.

6924
6924 Eat and drink pleasantly for what you put forth in the days past.

Here "kuloo and ishraboo" is referring to fruits only. What is there to drink in fruits? Why ishraboo is used, is kuloo not enough here when it is referring only to fruits? Or do we have to carry a mixer to make its juices and drink?

7741
7741 Indeed, the righteous will be among shades and springs

7742
7742 And fruits from whatever they desire

7743
7743 Eat and drink pleasantly for what you used to do

Here it also refers to what is said in its previous aayat. Again both "kuloo and ishraboo" is referring to a single thing "fruits".

I understand that Ishraboo is not referring to drink here, because nothing is mentioned for drinking in these aayaats.

Now, why is "kuloo and ishraboo" is not referring to anything in 2187? Is it referring to "provision of Allah", or "fruits" or "something else"? Anyhow, in all references from AlQuraan, "kuloo wa ishraboo" never used for "food and drink". Then from where everyone got this idea of abstaining from food and drink in 2187?

As all the references give above, 2187 is also refers to what is said. It refers to "nisaa-akum".

You replied to "There's no mention in verse of the word "ishrabu". It's "ushribu", which means "made to absrob" in this context. The two words are different." by saying

They are derived from the same root. However, if you use the simplest form of each verb one would be "yashrab = to drink" and the other "ashrab = to make absorb or to infuse." Not all words that are derived from the same root have the same meaning.

Sorry to disagree. I understand that almost every word used in AlQuraan has a concept not a literal meaning. We have to understand the concept of this word Ishraboo, it gives you single wide meaning. Lets take for example

260
260 And when Moses prayed for water for his people, so We said, "Strike with your staff the stone." And there gushed forth from it twelve springs, and every people knew its watering place. "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah , and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption."

1926
1926 So eat and drink and cool eyes. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to man.' "

It does not mean that "a'ynan" refers to two different things. To my understanding "a'ynan" means "a place from which water comes out". Look here at different translations for same word in 1926 and see how they change its meaning in total sometimes.

For rest of your post, I will get back to you soon, inshaAllah.

May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path pr
mmKhan

357

Hi Mmkhan,

1926
1926 So eat and drink and cool eyes. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to man.' "

But what is the food of the eye?

Is it carrots and meat or what the eyes are eating all the time.

mmkhan

peace mmkhan,

I have seen a few people say this, but they cite no evidence other than their own statement. What is your evidence?

Let's be clear such a theory would be impossible to prove per Quran.

Thus, why use an impossible to prove theory to govern how one interprets Quran?

Peace Wakas,

I don't have any aayat to show you as evidence, nor you can bring forward any aayat to prove me wrong. The simple logic is if a single word gives two meaning or two words giving the same meaning may misguide us, we may not able to reach to the exact of what Allah wanted to say.

Here is an example I like to cite

idrib bi AAasaka al hajara fa infajarat min hu = strike with your staff the rock, then vented from it (twelve springs)
idrib bi AAasaka al hajara fa inbajasat min hu = strike with your staff the rock, then gushed from it (twelve springs)

Please tell us the difference between the words in bold. Thanks.

Thank you for aayaats.

Sorry brother I cannot answer your question now, because I have no study on these words. But you can check why two different words are used? If there are two different words, it surely means two different things.

It could mean "infajarat" means something to come out of other thing, and "inbajasat" may means something to come out by force or in large quantity. Just assuming.

Allah knows best.

May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path pr
mmKhan

Noon_waalqalami

I don't have any aayat to show you as evidence, nor you can bring forward any aayat to prove me wrong. The simple logic is if a single word gives two meaning or two words giving the same meaning may misguide us, we may not able to reach to the exact of what Allah wanted to say.

Peace mmkhan,

Be careful with that, use context, cross-reference, pay attention to each word/words which form the meaning...

411 to the male
5417 to the remembrance

411 if kna/is (masculine singular) to person son (male child)
411 so if not yakun/was to person child/born (either sex)

411 so if kna/is (masculine singular) to person ikh'wat brother (male sibling)
4176 and if kn/they were ikh'watun brothers/siblings rijalan wanisa so to the male

3669 and what/not We taught him the poetry and what/not it befitting to him/her/it indeed/if he/she/it only/except male/remembrance Qur?an clear

luna

Salam mmkan

1- If it isn't necessarily the same saum as Maryam's, then what could be the reason of mentioning it in AlQuraan?
2- How do we confirm, how was saum prescribed upon others before us?

It's for the same reason that God mentions the other details of the story. What would we benefit from knowing that Mary went into labor and rested near a palm tree?

"And We have certainly sent down to you distinct verses and examples from those who passed on before you and an admonition for those who fear Allah ."

I'm not sure what you mean, but the fast that was required of Mary is mentioned in the same verse
" 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to man.' "

6922
6922 In a high garden

6923
6923 Its to be picked hanging near.

6924
6924 Eat and drink pleasantly for what you put forth in the days past.

I understand that the first two verses are talking about heaven. There's a high garden however it's fruits are near. The third verse says "eat and drink", not "eat and drink of it". So it's not necessarily related to fruits.

7741
7741 Indeed, the righteous will be among shades and springs

7742
7742 And fruits from whatever they desire

7743
7743 Eat and drink pleasantly for what you used to do

Here it also refers to what is said in its previous aayat. Again both "kuloo and ishraboo" is referring to a single thing "fruits".

Actually the word "springs" is mentioned in the first verse, so "ishraboo" could be directed at that. Either way like the verses before, there's no pronoun to link "eat and drink" to anything.

Anyhow, in all references from AlQuraan, "kuloo wa ishraboo" never used for "food and drink"

how about these verses?

When the disciples said O Jesus, son of Mary! Is thy Lord able to send down for us a table spread with food from heaven? He said Observe your duty to Allah, if ye are true believers.

(They said) We wish to eat thereof ----> the word is used for eat is "na'kul"

"How should ye not eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned, when He hath explained unto you that which is forbidden unto you unless ye are compelled thereto" ----> the word used is "ta'kulu"

Will be eating from trees of zaqqum ----> 'akilun]

And filling with it your bellies

And drinking on top of it from scalding water ----->

And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels. ------{

All these words ta'kulu, 'akilun, sharibun are derivatives of and , same as

It does not mean that "a'ynan" refers to two different things. To my understanding "a'ynan" means "a place from which water comes out"

Could be. But here "a'ynan" is the same in both verses. In the main discussion topic there's a slight difference between "ishrabu" and "ushribu". Moreover, the word "ushriba" is used in the sentence as an image.

"And (worship of) the calf was made to sink into their hearts because of their rejection"

justamuslim

fasting is for own benefit (to become a better person). the way i see it - fasting is not to appease this angry strict God. there is no punishment if you don't fast.

reading various translations this is what i understand

fasting was enjoined as it was before so that we may become righteous
fast a certain number of days (NO specific number stated)
if you are ill or travelling then do it another time.
if fasting is difficult for you (does not specify what would be considered difficult) then feed the needy
God wishes ease and not hardship.

ok - that's all there is to it.

justamuslim

as a sickness (as no fever is involved) , the food fasts can kill such people, i wonder how many were killed because of this understandimg of a fast!
And all the people taking drugs for certain diseases can't take them either as they are not classed as sicknesses - no fever , all these are just recognised now as illnesses and not when the quran came at all.
If they were classed as illnesses when the quran came i would love to read about it if you know where it tell us of such .

when you are stressed or acutely fall sick (flu, cold, etc), loss of appetite actually is a natural reaction. depending on the illness (ex bowel obstruction or pancreatitis), people are hooked up to IV fluids for hydration and nothing per mouth is given. point i am making is that the purpose of fasting or shall i say focus is not going without food/water per se. when you are acutely ill, getting over your illness and not stressing your body/mind is the goal. so, if you were to fall acutely ill during this time of fasting then keep your fast after you have recovered from your illness.

i don't agree with you that going without food/water for a period of time can kill someone with chronic illness. but it can make someone sick. people with diabetes get blood work done which should be fasting for 8-12 hours. if you ever had elective surgery, you are kept in a fasted state for hours. people with chronic illnesses do get acutely ill experiencing loss of appetite. going without food/water can make someone sick but not necessarily kill them. someone with chronic medical condition who wants to fast should consult with physician first - and not an imam/rabbi. remember the point of fasting is not to harm yourself. God wishes ease and not hardship.

now if you have a medical condition or don't but find it hard to fast (going without food/water for any length of time), personally i don't see a problem in modifying fasting (drinking or eating small amounts just to get through). or if you are on chronic medication, then just taking the medication and focusing on the spiritual aspect of fasting. oh i am sure imams/people would have issues with that but i believe in a God who is most compassionate and understanding remembering that the fasting is for own benefit and not to appease this angry militant God.

if modified fasting doesn't sit well with you and if fasting is difficult (don't need to have a medical condition for it to be difficult), even for one day then feed the needy. remember God wishes ease and not hardship.

Bender

Peace mmkhan,

Be careful with that, use context, cross-reference, pay attention to each word/words which form the meaning...

411 to the male
5417 to the remembrance

411 if kna/is (masculine singular) to person son (male child)
411 so if not yakun/was to person child/born (either sex)

411 so if kna/is (masculine singular) to person ikh'wat brother (male sibling)
4176 and if kn/they were ikh'watun brothers/siblings rijalan wanisa so to the male

3669 and what/not We taught him the poetry and what/not it befitting to him/her/it indeed/if he/she/it only/except male/remembrance Qur?an clear

Salaam Noon,

482

Therefor 2 exactly same words must have the same meaning otherwise there is a igtilaaf.

I know that it doesn't fit your math for the inheritance thread but I think there is a big misunderstanding in verse 411-12, inshaAllah I will let you know soon my findings.

Salaam,
Bender

Noon_waalqalami

Salaam Noon,

482

Therefor 2 exactly same words must have the same meaning otherwise there is a igtilaaf.

I know that it doesn't fit your math for the inheritance thread but I think there is a big misunderstanding in verse 411-12, inshaAllah I will let you know soon my findings.

Salaam,
Bender

Salaam Bender,

No contradiction if read and applied correctly; another example...

http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLonline.htm

= Daad-Ra-Ba = to heal, strike, propound as an example, put forth a parable, go, make a journey, travel, mix, avoid, take away, put a cover, shut, mention/declare/state, propound, set forth, compare, liken, seek a way, march on, set, impose, prevent, fight, traffic with anyone's property for a share in the profit, he made or caused to be or constituted, leave/forsake, take away thing (with 'an).
Depressed ground, hard ground in a plain, sandy valley, commissioner as he has to travel much.
Kind manner, lean, thin, similar, alike, the act of striking, a blow, going from place to place, vicissitude of life, affliction especially that which relates to one's person, as disease, death, degradation is common and general suffering.

beat, struck, smote, hit, the making a thing fall upon another thing, discipline/train, to cast forth, threw or flung it, seal/stamp, veil/curtain/cover/barrier, to point or make a sign, prohibit/hinder/prevent/withheld/restrain, collision, corrupted/disordered/disturbance/unsettled/confused, turn away, avoid, shun, fashion/mould/adapt, mention or set forth (e.g. a parable/example), explain, make a way, multiplying, go/travel, went away, it was or became long, excite/incite/urge/instigate, contend, dispose/accommodate, retract/digression/transition, to silence, tremble/shiver, share/portion.
Location where something is struck, wool or goat's hair separated or plucked or beaten with a mallet, sword, tent-peg, mallet.

mmkhan

You're right, but same applies for today's means of transportation. Traveling by car over long distances is not easy, one will faint without enough nutrition. Some of us can fast while traveling by plane but how about those who have 12 hour flights?

Allah has already given them option to complete their count on other days.

I will look it up. Even though the verse seems self explanatory to me.
Also, if the word "shahr" doesn't mean month, what do you refer to by

Please check these links

http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9600410.msg246647#msg246647

http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9188.msg34302#msg34302

Also

Yeah, instead God says "an number of other days". And He doesn't specify of which month these days should be. So why limit it?

It depends whether if it is month or day.

Well, I disagree on this one. I believe that our work is important just as our worship, and God doesn't want us to abandon everything and isolate ourselves for any number of days. Governors, ministers, teachers, policemen, doctors, etc would all disappear and go silent. I can't begin to imagine the amount of harm that would be caused.

Again it is difficult if you take it month, if it is three days, than it has to be done for Allah.

May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us to His true path pr
mmKhan

mmkhan

Peace mmkhan,

Be careful with that, use context, cross-reference, pay attention to each word/words which form the meaning...

411 to the male
5417 to the remembrance

3669 and what/not We taught him the poetry and what/not it befitting to him/her/it indeed/if he/she/it only/except male/remembrance Qur?an clear

Peace brother Noon,

Thank you for the aayaats.

The word used in 411 is and is the word used in 5417. Do you see the difference brother? They both are different words, but having same letters.

You can check all instances for these words, you will find in same format, inshaAllah.

mmKhan

Noon_waalqalami

Peace brother Noon,

Thank you for the aayaats.

The word used in 411 is and is the word used in 5417. Do you see the difference brother? They both are different words, but having same letters.

You can check all instances for these words, you will find in same format, inshaAllah.

mmKhan

Peace mmkhan,

Yes 100 years afterwards when they added vocalization marks to distinguish that particular word. That's why I said be careful use context since there are many others it's exactly the same word depended on context or the way the sentence is formed will determine it's meaning; as another example and there are many look up all uses of their hands.

357

when you are stressed or acutely fall sick (flu, cold, etc), loss of appetite actually is a natural reaction. depending on the illness (ex bowel obstruction or pancreatitis), people are hooked up to IV fluids for hydration and nothing per mouth is given. point i am making is that the purpose of fasting or shall i say focus is not going without food/water per se. when you are acutely ill, getting over your illness and not stressing your body/mind is the goal. so, if you were to fall acutely ill during this time of fasting then keep your fast after you have recovered from your illness.

i don't agree with you that going without food/water for a period of time can kill someone with chronic illness. but it can make someone sick. people with diabetes get blood work done which should be fasting for 8-12 hours. if you ever had elective surgery, you are kept in a fasted state for hours. people with chronic illnesses do get acutely ill experiencing loss of appetite. going without food/water can make someone sick but not necessarily kill them. someone with chronic medical condition who wants to fast should consult with physician first - and not an imam/rabbi. remember the point of fasting is not to harm yourself. God wishes ease and not hardship.

now if you have a medical condition or don't but find it hard to fast (going without food/water for any length of time), personally i don't see a problem in modifying fasting (drinking or eating small amounts just to get through). or if you are on chronic medication, then just taking the medication and focusing on the spiritual aspect of fasting. oh i am sure imams/people would have issues with that but i believe in a God who is most compassionate and understanding remembering that the fasting is for own benefit and not to appease this angry militant God.

if modified fasting doesn't sit well with you and if fasting is difficult (don't need to have a medical condition for it to be difficult), even for one day then feed the needy. remember God wishes ease and not hardship.

this is just an example , and there are many other diseases more deadly.

http//www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/press_archive04/pr164-1222.shtml

http//www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/

Eating large meals causes high amounts of suger in the blood, whilst eating no meals the suger drops to nothing. All the organs rely on more or less a reasonable level of suger.

Food Fasts are and particularly when we didn?t know about diabetes a killer. And to say saum is food fasting, then Allah didn't care about some people dying or he didn't know this could happen, both of which are not possible,

Simerlary low blood pressure can cause fainting and other things.

peace