My father is 75, and has very bad diabetes. He has been told by doctors that he cannot fast during Ramadan. His blood sugar is very difficult to control, even with his medication, so he has to eat a small meal every 3 or 4 hours during the day.
My father's wife is very angry about this. She says he absolutely must fast, and has threatened to fire his cook and his maid if they fix him food. (She does not live with him.)
My father is very upset and does not know what to do. My cousin, in an effort to help, asked an Imam to come and speak to my father at his last doctor's appointment, which was last week. The Imam listened carefully to the doctor, and then told my father it is not necessary for him to fast as it will make his health worse, and that he can simply feed a hungry person each day. My father is still unsure what to do. Could you please supply links to articles which discuss this? I want him to make an informed choice.
Thank you for your time.
2006-10-01 18:15:12 · 8 answers · asked by Bronwen 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Please allow me to clarify what the Imam said. He said that Allah has not asked those who are very sick to fast, and that if my father's condition should improve enough to allow him to fast, he can make up the days later. However, he also told him that if he is unable to fast ever again, that is God's will, and he will not be punished for it.
He explained there is a type of charity that is different from Zakat, and which pays for food for a hungry person, and that my father may do that instead. My father is already doing it, but the Imam said he can increase it to include another person and that will be fine, and he will not suffer punishment from Allah.
My father is just very frightened because of the things his wife is telling him, and he does not know which way to turn.
2006-10-01 18:20:37 · update #1
Thanks for the input slash dude (////////). It so happens that I am not Muslim. If I were, perhaps my father would pay a little more attention to me on this. I have sent him links that I have found, and his wife has discounted them all specifically because they came from me, a Christian.
2006-10-01 18:22:47 · update #2
May Allah have mercy on Him. Iwill definitely pray for ur father and ur family dear. Inshaallah, Allah will give all of u courage to move on and face the condition.
IS FASTING COMPULSORY?
NO. it is an obligatory fardh -- for those who can. if a person is sick, or travelling, elderly, very young children, pregnant and lactating women can skip their fasts.
QU'RAN -- Al-Baqara | 286 verses | The Cow سورة البقرة
Sura #2 | Madina
183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil);
184 (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know -
185 The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. ALLAH DESIRETH FOR U EASE; HE DESIRETH NOT HARDSHIP FOR YOU; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.
may the peace and blessings of Allah(God) be with us and may He guide us in the right path. may He shower His mercy on us and protect us. have a nice day. and i will pray for ur papa.
2006-10-01 18:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by marissa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fasting during Ramadan is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would be excessively problematic. Children before the onset of puberty are not required to fast. However, if puberty is later than is normally expected, fasting becomes obligatory for males and females after a certain age. According to the Qur'an, if fasting would be dangerous to someone's health, such as a person with an illness or medical condition (this can include the elderly), that person is excused. For example, diabetics and nursing or pregnant women are not usually expected to fast; but they are encouraged to feed a needy person instead[1]. According to hadith, observing the Ramadan fast is not allowed during menstruation period for women; still they (women) must make up these days they didn't fast during their menstruation period. Other individuals for whom it is usually considered acceptable not to fast are those in battle and travelers who intend to spend fewer than ten days away from home. If one's condition preventing fasting is only temporary, one is required to make up for the days missed after the month of Ramadan is over and before the next Ramadan arrives. If one's condition is permanent or present for an extended period of time, one may make up for the fast by feeding a needy person for every day missed.
2006-10-01 19:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by Peace 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ask his wife does she really want to kill the man?one time a mujahid got injured in battle,in the head.he asked some fellow Muslims if he should make ghusl or just make wudu.they told him it was o.k. to make ghusl and the man did and died.rasulilah [pbuh] told the men 'may Allah kill you and said it three times .because it was them who gave the wrong fatwa.and he lost his life because of it.the prophet[a.s.] said they had forbidden what Allah made permissible.if he would have made wudu he would have lived.so tell her that.Allah has made it permissible for him to take it easy.and rasulilah cursed the ones who told him other wise.and remind your father that Allah is the most merciful of all those who show mercy.
2006-10-01 18:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not necessary for someone to fast in conditions like this. The Iman is right. Anyways, his wife will not hear of it and she seems to be lacking Islamic knowledge. The alternative is, he should make arrangements for his food from somewhere else. Why dont you take food for him?
2006-10-01 18:26:22 · answer #4 · answered by NchantingPrincess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not compulsory for any Muslim to fast if it would adversely affect their health. People who do not need to fast are children who have not reached puberty, any person on medication, women who are menstruating at the time and anyone who is incapable of fasting due to any means whatsoever. He does not have to fast!!!
2006-10-01 18:34:10 · answer #5 · answered by F R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your father's condition is as you say it is, then what the Imam said is correct.
And Allah knows best.
2006-10-01 21:55:45 · answer #6 · answered by mystery woman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if your father is so ill that fasting will make his condition worst then the imam is right
2006-10-01 20:16:51 · answer #7 · answered by cool guy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
tell your father to get a life and leave islam. you should be leaving islam too
2006-10-01 18:18:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 8⤋