Less of a Muslim because of diabetes (Ramadan)

Well as many of you have heard Ramadan is nearly amongst us,this is the time Muslims don’t eat or drink from dawn till sunset,Its also time for prayer and helping those that are less able.

As a Muslim It will shock you to read that I have never had the fortune of fasting but it doesn’t mean that I am less blessed or less of a Muslim even though I used to feel like this when I was younger and would hide when I was eating because I felt guilty as well as hiding from the million questions everyone would ask.The reason I don’t fast is because I am diabetic and it’s not because I ate too much sweets or because I am unhealthy it’s because my body got a bit confused and started attacking itself making my pancreas unable to function making me a type 1 diabetic.
Yes some diabetics fast because they might have a different type of diabetes to mine or because their healthcare professionals have given them the green light to fast.

Islam is not a difficult religion it’s just people make it hard by not understanding or not doing their research it clearly states in the Quran
"if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (of Ramadan days) should be made up from days later. For those who cannot do this except with hardship is a ransom: the feeding of one that is indigent… Allah intends every ease for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties…" - Qur’an 2:184-185

So basically what I do is I pray,go mosque take my insulin as usual and eat my food as I normally would,instead of fasting I pay someone else to be able to break their fast each day during Ramadan. This works for me because I don’t want to end up in hospital I put in a lot of hard work to have good control not fasting is a decision I made some might think its wrong of me and others might agree with me but my fellow Muslims and none Muslims that fast if you have an illness remember its not a must for you to fast but if you do please be careful and keep checking your sugar levels and ketones if your body asks for food and water give it.

I'm not a Muslim but I don't think it makes you "less of a Muslim" to take care of your health. And the quote you provide from the Qur'an makes it clear you are well within the bounds of what is prescribed. I'm glad you no longer feel guilty or like you have to hide and that you can both care for your health and observe your tradition. I'm not sure if it's correct to say, "Happy Ramadan" but if so, "Happy Ramadan!"

Allah knows what is what…that’s the only one you should concern yourself with.

assalamu alaikum
L.

some resources for those wanting to fast during Ramadan

http://www.e-mjm.org/2012/v67n3/Diabetes.pdf
http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c3053?ijkey=RhP6GwQb5TAzfiq&keytype=ref
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/Blog/Maryam-Elarbi/fasting-during-ramadan/

and this nice one with some great explanations in a slide show
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Food_and_recipes/Fasting_and_diabetes/Ramadan-fasting-and-diabetes/

and thanks to Jonah in the chatroom for his help explaining how he fasts during Jewish holidays.

Thank you guys Zoe your so cute.
Xxxx