Can I avoid fasting due to the overload of my job?
Do's and Don'ts in Ramadan
Sallam brothers and sisters
Ramadhan is approaching and I have an issue. I am moving and changing jobs and this job means I will have so much responsibility more than I ever did before and being a doctor patients lives are in my hands and Last year during Ramadhan I really couldn't work and I got into trouble as the dehydration made me so slow for making vital decisions for patients survival. Unfortunatly I was thinking this year I will not fast during Ramadhan but i want to make up for my missed fasts?
Is this permissible and how can i do this? I know that fast is compulsory, can you please tell me how to overcome my problems?
jazakallah
Allah Hafiz
~ brokenbrain
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Assalam Alaikoum
Being a nurse, working and continuing my education is also hard, especially when sitting in class from 8am till 6pm or being in clinical from 6am till 5pm. I know it will not be easy, but you can do it for the sake of Allah.
Make sure you get an adequate nutrition and rest at night. If work in the hospital, maybe adjust your schedule to night shifts?
InshaAllah you can do it, may Allah give you strength.
sallam
im a doctor i cant change my schedule but I think i will just see it as a challange and go for it and with Gods blessing inshallah i will sucessful during rhamadham inshallah!
please bothers and sisters pray for me as i am temped to take the easy route and not fast inshallah I will be strong and i will compleate rhamadhan sucessfully ameen
Allah hafiz
Brother, dehydration it's no excuse. Just think for a second that in next second you may not be alive then? If you die as disbeliever even if you drink all the ocean water still you will be thirsty. I am sure you, us want to die as believer for that we have to earn lots of iman so that we can return to Allah with some good thing.
Brother do not miss this month thank to Allah that he gave you chance to fast this year. You became doctor alhumdullilah but you also have to think that because of Allah you did success to become doctor. And Allah can take that success in a second. Let's not think like that.
Try to fast brother do not miss this holy month.
May Allah bless you
Sorry was supposed to write sister
Salamualaikum,
If you ask a Scholar of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, I am sure he will ask you to choose between your job and the month of Ramadan.
This month is Allah's month and I am sure you are aware of its specialities and blessings. Can you afford to miss this?
I will tell you something I have faced.
In the early days of my job, I was on a late shift. I was afraid I would miss the Qiyaam al Layl (the night prayer). I requested my managers to allow me to leave early for a month.
They asked me for time and said they needed to discuss.
I prayed to Allah day and night, so that they approve it.
But, what did I see? Allah did not accept it. They denied.
I decided to quit the job and choose Qiyaam in the month of Allah. I spoke to my mother about this and she somehow convinced me to not quit the job.
I was devastated.
I also spoke to my Shaikh that I was in trouble.
Then Allah made arrangements for me, for which, even if I spend my entire life thanking Allah, I wouldn't be able to thank Him enough.
I thank Allah that He did not accept the Dua I had made earlier. Allah had kept something far better in store for me, Alhamdulillah.
That was the best Ramadan of my life, and I pray to Allah that He makes the coming Ramadan better than that one, Aameen.
Sister, "trust in Allah that He will always have ways to better your Deen", is something a practicing Muslimah like you should have.
Fasting the month of Ramadan is a pillar of Islam and can not be ignored. It is not an easy way (to consider not fasting) but a way that can not be taken.
Yes, if you are ill, you can avoid fasting and make it up later. Like I had 4 fasts from the last Ramadan, due to illness.
Allah is The Lord and If controls what happens in this World. If you intend to fast, work, and simultaneously have your sins forgiven this Ramadan, then know that He Has the Power to do all things.
So, never think of leaving the fasts, but eat properly during the Suhoor and after the Futoor, and spend the day with trust in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. And don't forget that Ramadan is also a test of hunger and you should have patience.
May Allah make it easy for you and all the Muslims. May He make this Ramadan the best one of our lives ever.
Wassalamualaikum
Muhammad Waseem
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
sallam brother
you right so far i thought i was going through a ahrd time and i finally found a good job apporpriate for be but the truth is God was the one who heard my prayers and this time i will do the right thing and inshallah i will compleate my fast sucesfully. ameen.
do you ahve any sugesttions of how to avoid dehydration? what should i eat what should i avoid in order so work well and stay healthy?
jazakallah
Allah hafiz
wa Jazallahu Iyyaki.
Sister, you are the doctor. Should I not be asking you this question? Lol...
My grandmother keeps telling me not to eat dry food at Suhoor, which keeps you thirsty the entire day. And eat fruits at Iftaar... It could help you too... 🙂
Maybe someone else can also give you some suggestions.
Muhammad Waseem
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
i am but i cant walk around with a drip lol....im pretty sure its not allowed! lol....i dunno why the dehydration affects me so badly
Its rather funny to read u asking him on what to eat since ur d doctor 😉 im a 3rd yr medical studnt, been reading ur post n I thnk im making u my dr role model 🙂 be sure 2 eat during sahur s late s possible. Drink lots of water. And sister, to fast n save lives at d same time, I envy u very much 🙂 may Allah make it easy for u, for us all.
sallam
so sweet , i was asking not really as a doc but like someone people swear by doing things that work like somone told me dont eat alot straight after the fast opens that will allow you to eat more later and leave you feeling alot better. i tried this and it really worked so i guess i as trying to find out any wise words of widsom or any habits people have that could be useful.
I think the mistake last year i made was i would hardly eat at all and i was so stressed running about!
ill make sure i eat sensibly this time!
Allah hafiz
salam alikum
i missed two months of my ramadan becuz of my pregnancy i'm finding it hard to make it up. i was pregnant the first year missed my fasts becuz i was vommiting all the tym and then became pregnant the next year and i was in a bad condition i couldnt fast. i sumhow regret it. i find it really hard. just hope you dont regret it once you missed them.
As Salamu Alaikum,
It is true that the month of ramadan is exhausting when you have to work for 12 hour shift but I think it is a mind thing. Keep in mind that you can do it and you will. I also work 12 hour shifts, during the day. My work requires critical thinking as well as physical strength. So far, Al hamdu li Allah, a busy work schedule makes my day go fast. I have seen people out in the sun working so hard and they still had their fast, I keep reminding myself that if those people can fast in the least favorable conditions why not me? Furthermore, there are so many people out there who fast without even having the right nutritious food and they have the strength to fast the entire ramadan. If those people can fast in the worst conditions why will it be hard for me to fast when I have, Al hamdu li Allah, better conditions?
Here are some tips:
stay positive by saying you can do it and think of the people who are less fortunate and still are able to fast (they have no access to AC or nutritious food),
Eat a balanced diet. eat protein for sohoor, it will keep you filled.
stay hydrated, drink a lot of water at night and stay away from caffeinated beverages as they can lead dehydration
Keep your self busy
Pray for Allah to help you and give you strength to fast
Of course, if you cannot do your fast because you are sick, you should not fast as ALLAH does not want any harm for us
May Allah help us and guide us in this month of ramadan and every day. May Allah bring blessings and peace for everyone.
Salam,
Reader
sallam
im really gonna make the effort this year inshallah and compleate rhamadham properly. For a while i was so worried about my duities as a doc and forgot about my duties as a muslim. Im so glad i came across this site where i can find excellent advice and encouragment to become a good muslim
Allah hafiz
Protein. Eat plenty of protein rich foods and avoid carb rich foods such as bread, rice and sweets that will only spike your blood sugar then when your sugar level crashes you end up with that hungry, fuzzy-headed feeling. Protein digests slowly keeping blood sugar levels more even and wards off the hungry feeling. If you are in the US or a place where you can purchase Muscle Milk (which isn't milk), I would recommend drinking one prior to beginning your fast. It is a high-protein, vitamin-packed, low carb drink and will not cause a blood sugar crash. Remember too that sweets cause a thirsty feeling, so avoid them. Another, energy booster is a prenatal vitamin, and you don't have to be pregnant or a woman to take it:) I can get through 14 hours food free if I begin with one Muscle Milk, one high protein Greek yogurt and a banana. Hopefully you will find this helpful.
great advice, jazakallah one question what is muscle milk?
It's just a brand of protein drink sold in the USA. It tastes better than most of the other protein drinks. I buy it in a 2 lb. jar (875 grams) in powder form, and I mix one scoop with a glass of milk and drink it after my workout.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Try my speciality:
Slice up a banana and some dates. Put them in a bowl full of milk and leave in the fridge overnight and eat at Suhoor...mmmm yummy delicious and full of energy.
Wael you may want to leave out the dates as you don't like them!
SisterZ
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
have yogurt, it will keep you hydrated and avoid eating eggs.
I am neither a doctor nor a dietician so take what I say with a pinch of salt. Oats are carbs, but they are slow release ones, so they leave you full all day. Have a nice big bowl with some milk. If you are prone to constipation when fasting consider eating fruit as well. You need to think carefully about when you eat fruit (suhur/iftar) - try not to have it soon after high fat foods.
Eat healthily and well - fasting nourishes your body provided you dont eat lots of junk food. If you like milk maybe have a glass at suhur - it is supposed to keep thirst at bay. I used to have 3 glasses at suhur: 1 milk, 1 large water and 1 chai (tea), and this worked for me - but chai is not so good for thirst.
Anyway enough of the rambling.. The important thing is be healthy and find out what works for you because everyone is different and sometimes we are more suited to different foods.
As a general rule avoid fried foods wherever possible. (This is difficult for some familys in Ramadan.) If its necessary do a proper iftaar once a week as a treat.
Eat as close to the end of suhur as possible (without exceeding the time.) This is a sunnah!
What is the best thing the Muslim can eat for Suhoor
The Messenger (SAW) said: "The best Suhoor for the believer is dates." [Abu Dawood, Al-Baihaqee and Ibn Hibbaan]
Delaying the Suhoor
It is recommended to delay the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) till just before dawn. Zaid ibn Thaabit said: "We ate the Suhoor with the Messenger (SAW), then we got up to offer the Salaah (prayer - in this case the Fajr prayer). I asked "What was the time between the Adhaan (call to prayer) and the Suhoor?" He said: "(The time it would take) to recite fifty verses." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
It must be known that it is allowed to eat, drink and have sexual relationship with one's spouse as long as one doubts and is uncertain that the dawn has started. Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW) have made clear the criterion for establishing the Fajr, and this is what one is required to go by.
The Ruling for Suhoor
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) commanded that whoever wants to fast must take the Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). He (SAW) said: "Whoever wishes to fast, then let him eat something for Suhoor." [Ibn Abi Shaibah, Ahmad and others]
Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water a day if you can after magrib and before fajr. And most importantly remember why you are doing it dear sister. You are fasting to please Allah (swt).
Allah desireth for you 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.)( Al-Baqarah 2:185)
Remember this: He(swt) will InshaAllah give you Barakah if you work to please Him. He will make it easy for you provided your intention is pure. This is the best thing you can do.
Dont let shaitan scare you into losing this Barakah. Just look after yourself. Check with your doctor first but you could see if its worth taking a fish oil supplement for your concentration if you struggle. If you decide on this then you must check with your doctor first..
Get as much rest as you can before ramadan as well.
Hope this helps InshaAllah.
Again please check with a doctor/nutritionist first.
Sara
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
Salam,
I think ull regret if you don't fast this Ramadan, as even there are only some special cases where you can miss it and recover it later. I am in dilemma.im pregnant 8months, I deliver in 3weeks. I am in European country where the days will be very long, fajr around 3am, Maghreb around 10pm. My doctor (not Muslim) said I should not fast to keep giving water to baby , vitamins, etc. I thought eating Maghreb and sohor will be enough, but I know I won't have big appetit after Maghreb.
Even I can fast the missed Ramadan during the year but how? As I'll be breastfeeding inshallah. I don't know if I should follow doctor advice but if I fast and baby will be too small cos of me, I'll feel so guilty. I don't know....
Sister,
InshaAllah fast. Allah (swt) will see how much you strived towards His cause (inshaAllah) and ensure to keep up with prayers too. for suhoor have some porridge and plenty of water.
May Allah (swt) make this month of Ramadan easy for all Muslims-aameen-
sallam sister
im glad i posted this question i feel i just avoided making a huge mistake! inshallah i will complete the fast sucessfully ameen!
Not being able to drink is the worse pain for me but look at it this way when we muslims fast we fast to improve our deen and our self every year you should ask yourself why am i fasting this year, what areas do i need to look at to go towards allah. It is very painful without the water but be grateful at the end of the day you fasted and inshallah you can do it, jobs come and go but not being able to improve your deed for allah you wont be able to do and will continue to make excuses that's when it becomes difficult.