Ramadan will be here soon and I am unable to fast because I am an insulin dependent diabetic who needs 2 shots every day. I know I am exempt from fasting for health reasons, but what can I do instead of fasting? Are there other things I can do- give to the poor, pray more often...? I have been unable to get a clear answer on this other than: stop using my insulin for a month (NOT AN OPTION!) or don't worry about it. Any suggestions?
2007-08-01 01:09:21 · 32 answers · asked by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you are not Muslim and don't understand the concept of fasting, or anything about Ramadan, don't make yourself look stupid by answering as the first two have. I want intelligent answers, not petty insults against my faith.
2007-08-01 01:15:22 · update #1
SuperAtheist: I am not beating myself up, I am simply asking how I can still participate in what we feel is a very spiritual time in our lives. Fasting is not as easy as you think, especially for a diabetic. Even when I do fast, my levels remain extremely high and I am not willing to experience side effects of elevated blood gulcose when it's not recommended by my faith and there are other options available to me. Islam does not make things difficult for people. I know I am exempt, but I simply want to participate in whatever way possible.
2007-08-01 01:25:23 · update #2
Gee Terry you got a bunch of idiots answering this one.
Fools, the Qur'an DOES EXEMPT THOSE WHO ARE SICK FROM FASTING.
Bunch of idiots thinking they are so smart making comments like Allah should of known, astaghfirAllah! He did know and did make the exemption.
Since you can not fast as it would be detrimental to your health you have to feed a poor person for everyday you missed. You can check Islamqa.com. I believe they say if in your current environment, USA, you feed a poor person one meal a day this is sufficient.
It doesn't have to be done during Ramadan. If you can't find a poor person there to feed you can feed a poor person a day for every day you missed when you come to Morocco. Consult the above mentioned site.
2007-08-01 02:53:44 · answer #1 · answered by ~~∞§arah T∞©~~ 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Selam Aleikum,
My Grandma is a diabetic as well, in exactly the same situation as you are now. You are exempt from fasting, sis. Anything else you want to do about it is absolutely your choice and completely up to you. You have a choice of praying extra, reading Qur'an more often, giving charity (don't forget Zekat ~winks~). You can organise a break-fast dinner for your family or for those in need if you're able to. There are plenty of recommended good deeds that you can do, but it's completely optional, rest assured :)
P.S. I also beleive that even though you're exempt from fasting, you're not exempt from praying Teraweeh. So there's another activity for you to feel closer to God. I don't think you're obliged to feed 60 people, I think it's optional as well, but it's certainly a good deed and if your finances allow it, I'd highly recommend it.
2007-08-01 01:33:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You fast between day light hours? I have many muslim friends so I don't know details but when they were young they would drink if they needed too as that is important... Australia will stay have similar hours but the heat is worse than UK sp you're more likely to drink, at the end of the day most Muslims will fill up before Dawn and drink their fill plus eat and then prepared for day ahead
2016-04-01 06:19:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not Muslim, but was kind of forced into not eating during Ramadan when with my Muslim brethren in Saudi Arabia (Egyptian truck drivers). We ran supplies to the front during Desert Storm. Try fasting in the middle of the Desert when you are roasting:)
I don't think Allah will be mad if you don't fast.
What about a 'limited' fast?
I am a Christian, and had problems with a complete fast. We are addicted to food, and will go into withdrawal if we don't eat. the first 3 days is the worst. I used to do liquid only fasts until I was 'weened' off of food.
Liquid only diet of things like orange juice, or liquids that would keep you from having a medical problem from not eating.
Hope that helps.
2007-08-01 01:22:50 · answer #4 · answered by fortheimperium2003 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was wondering the same thing, I am hypoglycemic AND diabetic, it fluctuates so if I fast, I get extremely sick (I tried, almost had to go to the hospital)... but anyway, I read that you can feed the homeless for those days, like bring a sandwich to a homeless person, or help out in a soup kitchen, or give money to an organization that feeds the poor.
2007-08-01 01:13:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I believe Sarah is right.
In addition a lot of the mosques here have ppl sponsor the iftar or at least you can give money to it to help if you cannot sponsor the whole thing. They also take money to give to the poor muslims in the community.
I think it'd be nice to do that and to also maybe volunteer at a soup kitchen or something to help out your surrounding community in addition to the Muslim community wherever you are. Maybe you could volunteer for meals on wheels depending on where you're at.
2007-08-01 03:28:49 · answer #6 · answered by Sassafrass 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
People who are sick (see below), elderly, young, travelling, and menstrating women are not required to fast during Ramadan.
People who are travelling and women who are menstrating have to make up the days they didn't fast as soon as they are possibly able. Also people who had a cold or some kind of illness that is not permanant need to make up the days they didn't fast.
For people like yourself you do not need to fast; however, it is customary to give to the poor (though not required) instead of fasting.
Of course for those who do not fast, it (eating/drinking...) should be done out of the site of those who are fasting out of respect. You should also eat and drink what you NEED to eat and drink and not what you want to eat/drink. Your blood sugar needs to stay at a certain level so eat what you need to but not more... keep a regular schedule and don't eat outside of that schedule.
This also does not allow you to drink (alchahol), smoke, have s*x, etc....
Hope that helps you out.
2007-08-01 10:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by zelo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I myself am diabetic and bipolar. While fasting three Ramadans ago, I collapsed. I checked with two scholars about what to do, and they both said not to fast, and give kaffarrah (expiation) to the poor instead. Check with your local Islamic welfare organisation for the amount; it varies by area.
2014-03-24 13:36:34 · answer #8 · answered by K S Lall 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed the equivalent days those that are in need of food in the same manner as you feed yourself or make them up at a later date. If you do not have the resources to feed people, do good deeds and ask for Gods forgiveness .......... fasting is a ritual and not the "Way" "religion" ........... no one will be sent to hell for JUST NOT fasting by GODs Will.
May peace be upon you.
2007-08-01 01:53:34 · answer #9 · answered by Asad 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God will never ask you any thing that will harm you, the ordinary Muslim people like me might not have the correct answer for you, but ask any Muslim (shaikh) or exposed to the (Shrea) science. he will give the best answer for that because he would know the Islam Constitution
finally I want to thank you for being concern about how to perform you religion duties.
2007-08-01 01:16:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋