When is it acceptable for a muslim not to fast?

Question

Right now am at college at i had a bad first year i really need to pull my socks up this year and i cant do that while ma fasting because I have a low concentration span in the first place and fasting makes that even worse plus My sleeps ireegular i get like 5 hours sleep a day.

Answer 1

no excuses there are people out there who are poor and suffering and hungry and barely earn a lot of moey. people out there work harder than and eat nothing for two days. don't forget to pray and ask for forgiveness.

Answer 2

The Shariah states that a person is allowed to abandon the Fast, provided there is valid ground for this as advised by a righteous and competent Muslim physician.

Sickness that on account of Fasting is worsening or of delayed recovery or unconsciousness or risk of mental derangement or the risk of life!

Not on one's own confirmed experience or opinion!

All missed Fasts have to be made up on a later date!

Or if unable, due to extremely weakness of illness or disease, can give Fidyah.

Fidya for every fasting day is:

7 Ibs  = 3.2 kg of flour.

Or the equivalent of the above in cash to be given to a poor and needy person.

The deliberate violation of Fasting has the penalty of Kaffaarah:

: Feed sixty poor and hungry persons two meal each.

Or:

: Feed one poor person for sixty days, two meals a day.

If one cannot fulfill Kafaarah, then one will have to fast for two months.

(Kaffaarah and Fidyah are not Zakat!)

Answer 3

Seriously speaking if you are not well then don't fast.  After all, you must take care of YOU.  I'm sure God/Allah will forgive you.  

Answer 4

Salaam

Ramdan Mubarak!

I was in a very similar situation to you.

I just finished my first year at college, didn't do as well as I should have and really need to focus this year to achieve the grades I need to get into a good Uni.

I understand how you may feel that fasting will affect you concentration and therefor make you suffer at college when you should infact be working harder. I too am easily distracted and find it hard to concentrate in class.

However, to me, not fasting didn't really seem an option. As I've fasted since i was about 12, it wouldn't seem right to all of a sudden not fast one year for the sake of my studies, especially as there is no guarantee i will make any real improvement in the first month of college alone. And as many people have already said, you have no real reason not to fast, you'r not ill or anything, so technically your not allowed to not fast lol.

Personally, I made the choice to fast this year because although I know it will be hard, that is the point after all, and I felt that, the prayer i will be doing during this month (I never used to pray usually) will give me the strength to concentrate on my studies as much as i need to, and i think there is reward in making such a sacrifice. You are fasting for Allah and InshaAllah he will reward you for doing so as he knows your struggle at college. Of course this is my own opinion, and my decision to fast was also based on other factors, because I feel I need to become a better Muslim and am going to use this Ramadan as an opportunity to increase my knowledge and understanding of Islam and start practising properly so that InshAllah i will continue to do so after Ramadan.

Today was my first day back at college, and it was only a half day but I did struggle, just adjusting to the routine again. But i really did feel refreshed and prepared after I did my Zuhr namaaz at college, which I've never done before. And although it is difficult waking up at Sehri, and  haven't had as much sleep as I really need, praying Fajr made me feel prepared for the day ahead of me.

So basically, even though i really do get where your coming from, i dont think its acceptable not to fast because of your studies, as i think by fasting you will become intune with the purpose of Ramadan, which is infact to better yourself on the whole which will include disciplining yourself in all aspects, including your work at college. and on top of this, praying really will giv you strength when you're feeling tired, and when you pray, Allah will InshAllah answer your Du'as in return for fasting for Him.

I do know a boy at college who has decided not to fast for the same reason, but i havent spoken much to him about it.

I would advise you to think about what is truly important to you. I know theres pressure to do well at college and get into Uni, but at the end of the day Allah is the most important thing in your life and you should do everything you can to please Him. I believe it's possible to fast and study properly, I'm going to try this month.

I hope I've helped you at least a bit or showed you that you'e not the only one in his position.

Do what you think is best for you

I pray you make a good choice, and have a happy and blessed Ramadan and that we both do well this year InshAllah

Answer 5

Salam for you my dear son.For muslims the acceptable not fasting are :

1)a heavy illness or long illness 2)in a heavy travelling more than 90 km 3)only for women if they have menstruation  or nifas just have given birth4) a heavy work which needs more energy and feel so tired 5) an intentionally vommiting 6)masturbation 7)unconsiousness or crazy.

The absence of fasting during ramadan should be replaced after ramadan or for long illness should give foods for 30 poor persons.

You must go to consult to a dictor of you have no concentration span.You must make your sleeping and eating regularly because early to bed and early to rise will make a man healthy,wealthy and wise.

Answer 6

are u a girl or a boy??I don't think this is an excuse.You should fast

Answer 7

if ur sick u don't have to fast. for a woman her menstrual cycle,pregnancy,breast feeding if you do not fast then u have to make it up. just because ur tired isn't ex-usable I'm also a student and work I know its hard but this is not an excuse because ur tired.

Answer 8

During Menstruation, Pregnancy or Breast Feeding for Women

or During Ill Health for men.. as in you would have to eat to stay alive...

Its up to you if you do ramadan but if you do want to do it this year then i suggest you see a doctor about ur sleep problems, get to bed earlier and get on with it!

Answer 9

doesnt seem like a valide excuse..

DO it for allah at least.

Answer 10

Your school comes before GOD and fasting...thats such a shame....

I thought you were sick but for some school...that sucks...

but don't let no one judge you including me.... so do what is right...  

Answer 11

when they have just given birth,breastfeeding,pregnant and they fear for their child, or very very sick. i get about as much sleep as you do, i have 2 infants ,even if you are very old you have no excuse not to fast unless you are very ill and if you do not take medicine for it you will die. then it is ok. other than that , there is no excuse. as far as concentration goes, wake up before fajr eat sohoor and a good one that will energize you, all of us do it. some of us have hard jobs in very hot heat and are dying of thirst all day long but we all manage. fasting is more important to Allah . it is a pillar of islam. if you are of age to pray then you must also fast. being tired, working hard all those things are of this life. shouldn't you want to try harder to obtain things in the hereafter rather than this life?