[Nana]

Salaam

It just happens that in this Ramadan I will have to study almost all day long, because I am in the finishing year of my masters degree. I have a strong wish to fast, but I don't know if it will affect my health and study. It happened that I lost lots of weigth abruptly due to faculty / work stress and ended up being hospitalized one month ago. The diagnoze was the first stage of gastritis due to irregular eating habbits and stress. It was quite hard for me as when I get the attack the pain is hard to take. The doctors told me I have to eat 5 times a day in order to heal my stomach.
Should I risk it and fast, no matter what? Is it a reason not to fast or am i just being paranoid about my health? My family is against it, but I would like to.

[ameen]

salam,

According to the Qur'an, your illness means that you do not have to fast during Ramadan, but you should make up for the missed days after you have recovered. If for some reason you find it difficult to make up for the missed days after Ramadan, then you can give charity to make up for them instead:

"Oh you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous; prescribed for a certain number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, then the same number from other days. As for those who find this very difficult, they can feed a poor person instead." – (2:183-184)

[Nana]

Originally Posted by ameen

salam,

According to the Qur'an, your illness means that you do not have to fast during Ramadan, but you should make up for the missed days after you have recovered. If for some reason you find it difficult to make up for the missed days after Ramadan, then you can give charity to make up for it instead:

"Oh you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous; prescribed for a certain number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, then the same number from other days. As for those who find this very difficult, they can feed a poor person instead." – (2:183-184)

wasalam

Thank you for that.

I will see if I feel better in the next week and if so start to fast. Otherwise I will make it up during the year.

[Ooozze]

Since you Should Not fast, that doesn't mean you miss all the belssings of Ramadan completely. Inshallah, take advantage of the extra rewards durring the month and do extra ibadah if you are physically capable.

[ChotooMotoo]

Give extra sadaqa to make up for the days you didn't fast. It's not exactly expatiation, since you may be able to fast later, but it's still a good practice.

[rahat]

Salaam,

Remember if you have to miss fasts, you can simply pay the Kaffarah, and your "account" should be good to go.

Good luck with your masters!

-
rahat

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by rahat

Salaam,

Remember if you have to miss fasts, you can simply pay the Kaffarah, and your "account" should be good to go.

Good luck with your masters!

-
rahat

Paying Kaffarah may or may not apply in his case, since this may not be a permanent condition. My understanding is that Kaffarah only applies when one has no hope of being able to make up the missed fasts due to a permanent or very long lasting medical condition. Kaffarah, in case someone doesn't know, is paying money or giving food equal to what what you would normally eat in a day to a poor person to make up for not fasting. The person to whom you endow the charity must be in need of charity, and shouldn't be of the people you are normally supposed to take care of (like your parents, spouse or children).

Do you have a different ruling on the matter? Do Shiites understand Kaffarah differently? If so, please share becuase I'm really genuinely interested. I really want to know, and I won't argue with you about it or anything.

[ursis]

From Taleemul Haq (SunniPath Online Library - Taleemul Haq - Fasting )

PEOPLE EXEMPTED FROM FASTING IN RAMADAAN
Sick people when their health is likely to be badly affected by fasting. They should make up the loss, a day for a day, when they recover after Ramadhaan.
A Musafir, (one who is undertaking a journey of more than 77 knits and does NOT intend staying mote than 14 day at his destination). Howevet. it is better for him to fast in Ramadhaan than keep Qaza later, provided the journey is NOT a tiresome one.
It it is feared that hnger or thirst will lead to death, it is permitted to break one's fast.
It is WAJIB to keep Qaza of a NAFL fast that was broken before completing it.

FIDYA FOR FAST
FIDYA (COMPENSATION).
1. A very old person who does NOT have the strength to fast or a very sick or diseased person who has NO hope of recovering after Ramadhaan, should give FIDYA for each fast missed in Ramadhaan.

2. The Fidys for a fast is similar to that of a missed Farz or Wajib Salaat, i.e.:

1.
To give 3 1/2 Ibs = approx. 1, 6kg. of wheat
OR 7 ibs = approx. 3,2 kg of barley
2. OR....the equivalent of the above in cash or kind.

If, however, an old or sick person gains strength or recovers after Ramadhaan, he must keep the missed number of fasts and whatever was riven as Fidya will he a reward for him from Allah Ta'ala.

No one is allowed to fast for another (sick or fit) person.

N.B. Children should be encouraged to fast, but should not be forced to complete the fast upto sunset if they are unable to bear the hunger or thirst.

[nooni]

Originally Posted by Nana

Salaam

It just happens that in this Ramadan I will have to study almost all day long, because I am in the finishing year of my masters degree. I have a strong wish to fast, but I don't know if it will affect my health and study. It happened that I lost lots of weigth abruptly due to faculty / work stress and ended up being hospitalized one month ago. The diagnoze was the first stage of gastritis due to irregular eating habbits and stress. It was quite hard for me as when I get the attack the pain is hard to take. The doctors told me I have to eat 5 times a day in order to heal my stomach.
Should I risk it and fast, no matter what? Is it a reason not to fast or am i just being paranoid about my health? My family is against it, but I would like to.

this question should be directed to your doctor. Not an imam, not an islamican, but your doctor.

[wheelworks]

Originally Posted by Nana

Salaam

It just happens that in this Ramadan I will have to study almost all day long, because I am in the finishing year of my masters degree. I have a strong wish to fast, but I don't know if it will affect my health and study. It happened that I lost lots of weigth abruptly due to faculty / work stress and ended up being hospitalized one month ago. The diagnoze was the first stage of gastritis due to irregular eating habbits and stress. It was quite hard for me as when I get the attack the pain is hard to take. The doctors told me I have to eat 5 times a day in order to heal my stomach.
Should I risk it and fast, no matter what? Is it a reason not to fast or am i just being paranoid about my health? My family is against it, but I would like to.

What you could do is eat alot for Sahoor and Iftar. Or just attend any masjid iftar. (they eat more than a camel having water to its heart's content)

[ChotooMotoo]

Originally Posted by wheelworks

What you could do is eat alot for Sahoor and Iftar. Or just attend any masjid iftar. (they eat more than a camel having water to its heart's content)

According to what she wrote, that wouldn't help. The reason for the small meals is that the stomach is not capable of processing large amounts of food.

And yes, you should ask your doctor. If you can't fast at all, then you will either have to make up the fasts some other time when you are well, or if you will never recover, you should pay or feed the poor instead. Talk to your doctor first and get a definitive answer as to whether or not you can fast, and when you will recover. Then you talk to some imam about how to make up for the fasts you miss.