Struggling to Fast - feel too weak physically
-
Asalaam alaikum.
I am 43, female and in good health (other than being thin - not underweight, just thin).
I really struggle to fast. I get weak and shaky, have to lie down a lot, really bad headaches.
I am single and childless sadly and I am mildly depressed. I have not kept any fasts so far this year. I don't feel physically strong enough to fast but feel so guilty all the time.
The ayah in the Qu'ran that mentions fasting does say "those who can (but with hardship) can pay a ransom" and I can't find a hadith that stipulates the criteria of the fasting person (in terms of their physical ability to fast).
Can anyone help me out and make me feel less guilty? I feel like Allah says in the Qu'ran that "those with difficulty" is quite wide and that we nowadays make it very strict...
Jezgak Allah Kahirun.
-
Dear, Allah is not making things hard for us. Eat and drink, but isolate yourself from others, from talking and remember of what happened in month which just passed and ask from Allah what you want.
Fasting is for 3-4 days, when the Moon is full. It will start in day or two, so prepare yourself and try to isolate ('itikaf). If you're married then you can talk with your "pair" in night-time and you can be happy too with him. Leave all "normal activities".
-
Fasting isn't about pushing your body to its limits.
Ramadan is all about working against your body's needs and instincts.
You will not feed your body anything (food & drink)
You will not provide your body of any kind of pleasure. That also include sleeping all day long and being lazy.
You will not follow your negative self into manifesting either gossip, mockery, anger, jealousy, pride...If you cannot do without the food and drink, it's not a big of a deal, you still have to work on the last two things. Help yourself.
-
peace lemoncake,
I posted about this recently
https//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605065.msg405897#msg405897Basically, there are two possible translations of that part in 2184
-
"...and upon those who are able (to abstain/fast)* a ransom of feeding the needy..."
-
"...and upon those who are able (to abstain/fast) but with difficulty* a ransom of feeding the needy..."
*and choose not to.
In my view, the most evidenced is (1) which I discuss in the link above, but it doesn't really matter as if you choose (2) the person undertaking sawm/abstinence will determine if it is too difficult or not. There is no need to look at Traditional Hadith for criteria etc.
There are many examples of this self-determining, e.g. Quran 2219 says spend the excess (in charity), i.e. it will be the one spending who will determine what is the excess. Or in 589 when it says "...expiation shall be the feeding of ten poor from the average/equitable of what you feed your family...", i.e. the one expiating will determine what is the average/equitable of what one feeds their family.
Remember, the primary reason for sawm/abstinence is to develop taqwa/conscientiousness , sawm is a means to an end, it is a tool in order to develop taqwa, it is NOT the only tool. One can read Quran to see what else it says about taqwa
http//corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=wqy -
-
Wakas
Thank you (Jezhak Allahu Khairun) for this, it really helps.
I do find that I have to take time off work, I spend a lot of the time sleeping and I can't see that as being productive.
I am praying my 5 prayers a day (though I know that there is debate in this forum on the number) and I am doing a lot of dhikr - but fasting is such a struggle.
Today I am doing a modified 12 hour fast to become closer to Allah - an orthodox Muslim would scoff at me, but is it all I can offer.
-
Peace lemoncake.
I agree with Wakas take on the verse.
I want to add that the journey towards "taqwa" develops as one gets familiar with Qoran and ways in which to serve/worship the Creator.
The stronger your taqwa gets, the closer you feel towards GOD and the stronger your mind/soul gets .
At the moments do what you can, also eat and drink if you feel you cannot fast . Hopefully with time your body will adjust,with GOD s help to fasting. Do not worry, GOD is forgiver most Merciful towards the sincere.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
So, what do you guys think of the various online sites that state that everyone should fast unless there is an actual medical reason to not to?
So, what they are saying is that you have to get a doctor's opinion in order to fast....
Some even go so far as to say it should be a Muslim doctor - as he or she will understand the importance of fasting for a Muslim.
I've kind of made a decision myself that it is too difficult. -(
-
One can also go to a doctor and lie and pretend putting on an act,does this reason apply at GOD s?
It is between you and your Creator, GOD knows you better than any doctor.
Besides those who want you to give evidence are not going to take on your sins in the hereafter!!!
The relationship,the service/worship is directly between you and GOD Alone. No one else is mediator or "wakeel" for you. They are not accountable for you and you are not accountable to them.
Sister ,your call only.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
What do you mean that fasting is for 3-4 days?
Ayet 2184 is about fasting and in its beginning was said "eyyamen ma'dudat", which is "days 3-4". Full Moon lasts mostly for 3 days, but it can be 4 days.
This is why it's not 3 days, nor 4 days, nor 10 days, nor 29, 30, 100... days. It's not constant, it can be 3 mostly and 4 sometimes (ma'dudat).
-
So, what do you guys think of the various online sites that state that everyone should fast unless there is an actual medical reason to not to?
It's better to fast for everyone, even sick person. But fasting is not about food and drink it's about isolating ourselves from others, to think about happenings and to ask for forgiveness for what we done wrong (and we're doing wrong all the time) and to ask what we need, as Zachary a.s. asked for a son.
Taqwa is "self-protection" and we should protect ourselves from punishment by asking for forgiveness and making ourselves better persons (salihoon). If we don't think we won't have a clue about it. Hungry and thirsty person cannot think normally for sure.
-
peace lemoncake,
As I said before, it is the person fasting who will decide if it is too difficult (if you choose that translation). There are many examples of this self-determining in Quran.
As a side note, are you confident you eat enough food during your normal day (when not fasting)? Ideally, a healthy and varied diet.
Secondly, your symptoms of weak/shaky/headaches are almost certainly hypoglycaemia (i.e. low blood sugar), see here
https//www.allinahealth.org/mdex/ND2805G.HTMWhat do you usually eat as your last meal before fasting?
The best meal, according to science, would be in a liquid form and have plenty of protein/fat. I personally have a protein smoothie as my last meal and find this helps significantly.
-
I find that I generally get really hungry 2-3 hours after eating
I used to run a lot - I haven't for 6 months - but I think it's given me a faster metabolism.
I think usually I could fast, but I'm depressed at the moment - the latter half of 2016 and all of 2017 (so far) has been very tough on me. I am thinking of myself as 'broken' at the moment (physically and mentally).
Today I had porridge and a couple of dates at 10am and I haven't had anything since (this is my modified fast and I'll try to keep going till iftaar tonight) but I'm already headachey and slightly shakey.
-
Try this
http//www.total-loyalty-to-god-alone.co.uk/abrogation-a-big-lie/May be the deeper you will dig,the deeper the wound as far as following the messenger is concerned.
A long story if you are interested?
GOD bless you.
Peace.
