Disabled Muslims Australia

Ramadan/Fasting and Illness

 

I have an illness/disorder that makes it difficult or risky to fast

If your illness is temporary then you should not fast, and should make up the number of days you missed as soon as possible, prior to the following year's Ramadan as Allah instructs that “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights the new moon of the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship”, from The Quran 2:185.

 

If you have an illness/disorder from which recovery is not expected which makes you unable to fast or would mean that fasting would place your health at risk then you are obligated to not fast since we are commanded to protect our health. The Prophet Mohammed taught that "each person will be rewarded according to their intention", according to Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 1. So, a person who wishes to fast but is unable to will receive the same reward as a person who fasts, because they intended to do so and were prevented through no fault of their own. You must pay Fidya, compensation that amounts to feeding one poor person per day during Ramadan, if you are able to. If you are not able to then no Fidya is required to be paid, Allah does not want to place any hardship upon you, as taught in The Quran, Al-Ma'idah 5:6.

 

I feel like I am unable to receive the benefit of Ramadan if I cannot fast

Firstly, you must remember that if you are unable to fast you will still receive the reward as one who fasts due to your intention. Please see the answer to 'I have an illness/disorder that makes it difficult or risky to fast' above. Following this, there are many things that a person can, and even should, do in Ramadan whether or not they suffer from illness. Ramadan is a time to remember our blessings, and to think of those less fortunate than ourselves. You may give in charity, and even volunteer your time for charitable causes. Take some time to think of your blessings, and to open your eyes to the hardship others in the world are going through that you are not. Ramadan is also a time to remind us of our faith and to increase it. You may spend more time reading the Quran or studying Islamic subjects. If you are able to you may attend the mosque for Jummah, Taraweeh, lectures or other prayers. There may also be gatherings you can attend in order to strengthen ties in your community. Always remember the purpose behind Ramadan, instead of focusing on individual acts as merely acts alone. In this way you can find many alternatives if you are unable to do something, through which you can obtain the same purpose.

 

I have to take medication (oral, injection, skin applications, drops and sprays) during the time when I should be fasting

Firstly, taking your medication at a time different to that prescribed, suddenly altering the time you usually take your medicine, and stopping taking your medication for a period of time are all very dangerous things to do and can result in serious harm, even death. Secondly, as Ibn Taymiyyah instructs, the evidence prohibits eating and drinking, so anything that does not constitute this must be regarded as permitted. For this reason, injectible medication, treatments applied to the skin, drops and sprays, medications inserted through openings other than the mouth, and medication taken by mouth but not swallowed.

 

The medication that does invalidate the fast is anything purposed for nutrient replacement, and medications swallowed orally which reach the stomach. If you are taking medication, or your doctor prescribes medication, then you should first speak to your treating doctor about Ramadan and ask if it would be safe to either change the time you take your medicine or to stop taking your medicine during Ramadan. If there is any risk in doing any of these things then you should follow your doctor's advice and continue taking your medication. As the Prophet Mohammed stressed, according to Sahih Al-Bukhari, "your body also has a right over you." Putting your health at risk by altering your medication schedule, or ceasing a medication denies your body this right, and causes you to be careless and hurt the body Allah blessed you with. Where you need to take medication that invalidates the fast during fasting hours you are exempt from fasting. Please refer to the answer under the section 'I have an illness/disorder that makes it difficult or risky to fast' for explanation and details.

 

Can a person with diabetes fast?

Diabetes sufferers are one of the groups at highest risk of suffering serious health problems, and even hospitalisation or death, during Ramadan. For this, reason it is critically important to discuss fasting with your diabetes management team, and to adhere to their recommendations. Please consult your treatment team before making any changes to your diet, medication, treatment regime, and before you begin fasting.

 

Dietary guidelines for fasting diabetics

Diabetics who are able to fast must follow a careful diet to help control their blood glucose levels.

• Limit the amount of sweets consumed at, or after, Iftar to small amounts

• Fill up on starchy foods e.g. rice, bread, potatoes, pasta

• Include fruits, vegetables, lentils and yoghurt at Suhoor and Iftar

• Eat Suhoor at the proper time, just before sunrise. Eating Suhoor too early results in energy spikes and imbalances, causing your blood glucose levels to be unbalanced.

• Do not consume sugary drinks such as soft drinks, cordials and juices. Instead, opt for diet versions. Do not add sugar to drinks. If you must have added sweetness use an intensive sweetener e.g. Canderel, Sweetex, Hermesetas

• Limit fried foods such as samosas, katlamas, peratha, fried chicken etc. Measure oil, using 1-2 tablespoons for a four person dish.

 

Treatment Changes

Whether changes to your treatment regime can or should occur depends on how your diabetes is managed, how under control it is, how long you will be fasting for, and what your diet will be like during Ramadan. You should never make any changes to your treatment regime without first consulting your diabetes management team.

Diet controlled diabetes

If your diabetes is well controlled by physical activity and diet alone it may be possible for you to fast, so long as you adhere to a careful diet discussed with your management team, limiting sweets and fried foods (Diabetes Australia 2008).

Diabetics taking medication

Some people taking medication to control their diabetes may be able to fast safely, whilst others may not. This depends on the type of medication, how well controlled your diabetes is, the length of time you will be fasting for, and how dedicated you are to adhering to a careful diet and lifestyle during Ramadan. Those who take insulin, in particular, may be advised by their diabetes management team to not fast, especially sufferers of Type 1 diabetes. Those at greatest risk of serious health consequences from fasting are Type 1 diabetes sufferers with poor control over their diabetes and prone to ketoacidosis (Diabetes Australia 2008).

 

I have an injury/illness, or must undergo a procedure that causes me to bleed. Will this invalidate my fast?

No, if you bleed unintentionally, regardless of its location, your fast is not invalidated. Whilst a procedure may be intentional the intention is for the main purpose of the procedure, not to bleed.

 

Does vomiting invalidate the fast?

No, so long as it is unintentional, as the Prophet Mohammed taught, "One who vomits, then he does not have to make it up, and he who intentionally vomits, then he has to make it up", according to Al-Tirmidhi from Abu Hurayrah, classed as saheeh by Al-Albaani.

 

Does having blood taken for tests/donation during Ramadan invalidate my fast?

No, if it is a little. If it is a lot then yes, particularly as a precaution to protect the health of one having a lot of blood taken. The amount of blood taken during donation is considered a lot, and thus the vast is invalidated when donating blood.

 

Does physical touch to the body, including the genitals, for medical purposes invalidate the fast?

No, it does not.