What should i do?

[derkderpderp]

Hey guys.

Im a muslim,and so when the holy month of Ramadan comes every year i have to fast.
Only this year the fasts are between 16-18 hours long,and im dangerously anorexic.i have a BMI of 12.8,and im always weak,but i have my smoothies to keep me going.
But with Ramadan i dont know how im going to cope,does anyone have any suggestions?

I feel compelled to fast,i have done ever since i was about 7 and i was beaten so i didnt eat while fasting.

However, starting college is stressing me out,other problems and inner turmoils are making me weak,yet if i dont fast i will be shunned even more!i dont want that!oww,what can i do?

Posts merged
~Jetfire

[antimonic]

You are allowed to be excused from fasting as long as you are ill. It is not intended to get in the way of medical recovery at all and islam teaches you to respect your body as you would a Mosque.

You dont have to fast, but still pray the 5 times. Next year if you have recovered from youre illness then you can fast.

[ShatteredWings]

Your health is more important. Work on recovery.

And no, i'm not slamming religion. but he would want you more healthy. if you fast for ramadan you very well could die at your weight. it's just not possiable to get enough calories for the day in two meals before morning/after dark. Especialy with how often with anorexia your stomach srhinks because its not used to food.

your family know about the ed.. or rather, do they acnolage it?

I feel compelled to fast,i have done ever since i was about 7 and i was beaten so i didnt eat while fasting.
aren't children supposed to be excempt from the fasting because at that age you need to have nutrition?

[derkderpderp]

My family know im anorexic-but im still expected to fast.
You're right,children are exempt from fasting,however in Islam you become an adult the moment you start puberty (around 12yrs).
Im turning 16 in 5 days,so i sorta have to fast.

[Antares]

Your health and whether or not you will die or fasting????

Umm I choose number one.
You need to tell your family that you are sick and you can not afford to eat.
If they don't understand, go to your religious leader, if they dont understand... sneak the food.

[Θάνατος]

Your health and whether or not you will die or fasting????

Umm I choose number one.
You need to tell your family that you are sick and you can not afford to eat.
If they don't understand, go to your religious leader, if they dont understand... sneak the food.


I agree with Mars here.

Your health is the most important thing.

Fasting when you are already starving your body is not a good thing.

[bennybronx]

Islam does NOT put religious traditions in front of ones own health. If you have a slight cough, then you should really fast as it is not an adequate excuse. Anorexia is something else, you HAVE to eat in order to RECOVER. Just like if you have a more severe illness than a slght cough where you NEED to take medication to recover, then you are excempt from fasting.

Today is the first day of Ramadan. Speak to your Imam (or if you dont have a local Mosque, then travel) and I am certain he will verify what i have explained above.

Telling your parents that the Imam says you shouldnt fast is going to be more effective when you have quite religiously strict parents. Tell them to speak to the Imam if they dont aggree with it.

[ShatteredWings]

Islam does NOT put religious traditions in front of ones own health. If you have a slight cough, then you should really fast as it is not an adequate excuse. Anorexia is something else, you HAVE to eat in order to RECOVER. Just like if you have a more severe illness than a slght cough where you NEED to take medication to recover, then you are excempt from fasting.

Today is the first day of Ramadan. Speak to your Imam (or if you dont have a local Mosque, then travel) and I am certain he will verify what i have explained above.

Telling your parents that the Imam says you shouldnt fast is going to be more effective when you have quite religiously strict parents. Tell them to speak to the Imam if they dont aggree with it.

this.

munky, i really hate to ask, but are your parents normally religious to the point where they'd let their son die for a holiday

if they won't let you, then maybe eat (or drink.. since you said youre living on smoothies) when they're not around

[derkderpderp]

I dont have parents,im living with my widowed sister in law.

They would have made sure i kept all my fasts,and for the 10 years of my life that i have fasted in Ramadan i havent missed a single fast,i know my health is more important.
But what if i fast and then when i have to open my fast i eat loads?

[antimonic]

Well if you CAN do it, then do it, but if you start to feel very faint and ill then dont inhibit yourself and just eat or drink.

[ShatteredWings]

I dont have parents,im living with my widowed sister in law.
They would have made sure i kept all my fasts,and for the 10 years of my life that i have fasted in Ramadan i havent missed a single fast,i know my health is more important.
so you're living with a fanatic?
But what if i fast and then when i have to open my fast i eat loads?
YOU SHOULD NOT FAST
You won't be able to "eat loads". or at least not what you're thinking. your stomach shrinks when you don't eat to the point where your bmi drops that low