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Name
7akeem Amricany
-
Profession
Question
Would you please tell me the advantages of Islamic fasting compared to Christian fasting? With my respect to all religions & opinions.
Answer
Dear 7akeem,
I think there is benefit of fasting, thus fasting was ordered as I think in all religions.
Our Islamic fasting implies complete abstinence from food and drinks to relieve the gatsrointestinal tract one month every year, but fasting in other religions orders abstinence from only one type of food. Either way, there is benefit from fasting in all religions.
We will give details about fasting in Islam:
1. It gives enough time for the stomach to relax to renew its sense.
2. With proper fasting there will be a decrease in the body's metabolism helping in decreasing the body weight, especially if the fasting is accompanied by moderate exercise.
3. There is a decrease in the continuous burden on the liver while we fast, giving it enough time to regenerate its function.
4. It can decrease the lipids of the body if we eat properly when we break our fast.
5. Fasting with normal daily activity (not restricting the human activities) with moderate exercise can improve the lipid profile thus preventing arterial sclerosis.
Name
Muslimah
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaiykum,
I want to know what should be taken for suhur and iftar and in what quantities that is good for health. Thank you.
Answer
Wa Alaykum Assalam,
I think during suhur, one can take types of food that can stay longer in the stomach like brown beans (foul medemmis) and a small amount of fatty foods while decreasing the amount of rapidly absorbed ingestants like juice and other carbohydrates.
And at the Iftar time you take the rapidly absorbed types of food like fruit juice. It's important not to fill your stomach too much. Keep a third of your stomach for food and a third for water and the other third for air.
Name
fatima
- United States
Profession
socialworker
Question
Salam,
My husband takes Zestril for high blood pressure and to relieve pressure on his one kidney. When would be the best time for him to take his medicine?
Answer
Dear Fatima,
I think it is better for your husband to take his medication at Maghreb time, but definitely he has to avoid a high salty diet to keep his blood pressure under control. It is absolutely necessary that he continue his anti-hypertensive medication. He should also avoid licorice juice (Erq Sus) because it will increase his blood pressure.
Name
Samia
- Finland
Profession
Question
If I don´t wake up in the morning to eat before fasting, and then go to school, can this affect my health and concentration?
And if I eat at night before I go to bed so I dont have to eat in the morning, will I become fatter?
Answer
Your health will definitely be affected, because when you eat Sohoor, you will not be hungry during school and will thus concentrate better on your lessons.
NO, it will not make you fatter, because the body gains weight if the total calorie intake exceeds the total calories you expend in your exercise.
But in general taking small frequent not high calorie meals with good exercise will keep you slim.
Name
Marwa
- Alaska
Profession
Question
Does fasting affect the breastfeeding woman?
Answer
Dear Marwa,
This completely depends on the lactating woman's status. If she can take enough food with adequate fluids during the period after Maghrib prayer until Fajr prayer, and if she feels she can continue breastfeeding her baby, she can fast.
But if she feels that her fasting affects her, she can postpone her fasting after completion of her lactating period.
Finally, there is case by case difference, and there is no universal agreement, but in general, nowadays, as a fasting period is short and the weather is not hot, thus fasting for lactating women is not a problem and we think most of these ladies can fast while they are lactating.
Name
Zam
- Guyana
Profession
Secretary/ farmer
Question
Whenever I skip my meals and feel extremely hungry I get spells of dizziness and tend to feel weak. I have tested my blood sugar and it is OK. Please assist me to undetrstand this.
Answer
Please give me more information about your age and whether you have hyperthyroidism or you are on any medications.
Name
fatima
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
I am a 27 year old woman. My mother and sister are diabetic, and I am also overweight. I feel hungry all the time. If I do not eat food at regular intervals I feel dizzy. I had my blood sugar checked a few days back, but alhumdulillah it came out normal. My sister's baby was diagnosed with glycogen storage disease- pompes and he died at age of 13 days.
Do you think I have a chance of having a similar disease? Could my constant hunger be because of that? Can there be any other reason apart from diabetes where one eats a lot, for example any glycogen storage disease? I feel very bad as to this eating problem. People who have eaten the same amount of food do not feel as hungry as I do after some time. Please advise me.
Answer
Dear Fatima,
Glycogen storage disease presents during early life (during infancy and childhood). I don't think that you have glycogen storage disease, but over-eating, especially in young females, is a habit. You have to teach yourself to take frequent small amounts of food, and with time your stomach and your hunger centers will tolerate these smaller amounts. You should also do a lot of exercise which will convert your feelings of hunger elsewhere.
Name
Mumina
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
I am about 8 weeks pregnant now. If I fast the whole month would it hurt the baby? If not, what are the signs of weakness that I should be aware of to stop fasting?
Answer
Assalam Alikum,
In general, yes, you can fast the whole month. And this will depend on your general health status; if you are completely healthy before you get pregnant you can fast the whole month, but if you feel hungry or thirsty with dizziness and general weakness, you can judge yourself.
If anytime during the day you feel one of the previous complaints, you can terminate your fasting. But, if you take during Suhur a large enough quantity of food and drinks, I think you can fast safely, keeping in your mind that Allah gives your clear permission not to fast, and thus fasting for pregnant women varies from one woman to another.
Name
M. Moneer
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alikom,
Dear Sir:
Is there a certain period or "trimester" where it's safe to fast for pregnant women without experiencing any difficulties during the day?
Answer
Allikum Assalam!
I think if you can fast nowadays and you feel comfortable, you can continue your fasting. The last trimester is the most difficult period for fasting ladies during pregnancy due to the increased daily requirements of calories.
Name
Abdul latif Shahid
- Pakistan
Profession
Student at Punjab University Lahore
Question
Assalam-o-Alaikum Sir,
If a young man fasts regularly during all the year for the attainment of piety, will it be useful for his health? Please enlighten me from the medical perspective.
Answer
Dear Abdul Latif,
From the medical point of view, I don't think fasting during the whole year is beneficial to the health. Thus, with Allah's order for fasting, he gave the order for specific periods of time. But, from religious point of view I can't give you an asnwer.
Name
Hamza
- Sweden
Profession
Student
Question
Which food is important to eat under Ramadan, so you can go through Ramadan in the best way possible?
Answer
Dear Hamza,
The best food to be eaten during Ramadan and throughout the year is a balanced diet that is composed of enough protein, carbohydrates and fat, in addition to enough quantity of water. And as our Prophet ordered, keep a third of your stomach for food, the other third for liquid and the remaining third for air."
You should also eat enough fruits. You also have to avoid a salty diet that will make you more thirsty.
Also delay your suhur as much as you can.
Name
Zam
- Guyana
Profession
Question
What is hypothyrodism? And no, I am not on medication right now but was a couple of months ago for high blood pressure. Cholesterol and sugar tests are all OK.
Answer
Hypothyrodism means a disease in one's thyroid gland with lack of thyroxine. I asked you about the "hyperthyroid", which means excess thyroxine but you have to consult your family doctor to look for your increased appetite.
And I think your case is most likely one of behavioral character without any underlying problem.
Name
Azeem
- Lebanon
Profession
Question
Dear Doctor,
My son is 7.5 years old, he wants to fast and frankly I want him to get used to it.
He refuses to fast only until noon or something.
Is there any risk or danger if he fasts for the whole day ?
Thank you.
Answer
Dear Azeem,
I don't think your son has to fast. But, I think if he insists to fast he can fast half a day or to fast an incomplete fast (by taking liquids or juice during the day) because this age needs regular and enough food to maintain his build-up.
Still, if he insists to fast the whole day, he shouldn't practice any kind of exercise and should have enough rest.
Name
Tasneem
- United States
Profession
Question
I have a cholesterol problem, so I usually go to the gym after work. I would like to keep that up during Ramadan. Is there any harm in exercising after breaking fast?
Answer
Dear Tasneem,
As you have a cholestrol problem I am sure fasting will help you a lot and I advise you to continue your exercise. As you know, exercise will improve your good lipid (HDL) cholestrol.
Still, you have to avoid fatty foods and continue your exercises regularly. And definitely you benefit from your fasting.
Name
Muslimah
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaykum,
My dad has CCF (congestive cardiac failure). But his level of activity is normal by the GRACE OF ALLAH. He is 64 years of age. Just today his doctor has advised him that he can fast while previously they advised him against fasting. What do you suggest?
Jazak ALLAH khairan
Answer
Dear Muslimah,
As your father has CCF (congestive cardiac failure) I think he must be taking diuretics. Since his doctor advised him to fast, his cardiac status must have improved so I advise him to take his diuretics after breaking fast, not in the early morning. And again, he should avoid heavy meals and salty diets, in addition to avoiding licorice juice.
Name
SOEMEONE
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaykum,
Doctor, can you please advise about the control of high blood pressure with regards to diet and level of activity. Thanks!
Answer
I think the main stay of treatment for hypertension is life-style change:
1- Decrease weight
2- Exercise
3- Avoid salty foods
4- Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with good exercise and controlling your body weight.
This is the best way to control your blood pressure.
But, if inspite of these measures your blood pressure is still high, you have to take medications to control your blood pressure, as controlling blood pressure will minimize the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.
Name
T
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
I am 28 weeks pregnant and I have a urine infection. My doctor gave me antibiotics but not much improvement. She says I need a lot of water and asked me to fast for alternate days but I don't want to miss the fast. Is it harmful for the baby or for me to continue fasting daily? How much water should I drink for suhoor to be safe?
JAZAKALLAH HU KHAYRAN
Answer
I think you can fast everyday. But, you must treat your urinary tract infection. And you should drink up to three liters of water during the allowed eating time, while avoiding hot climates to minimize your sweating.
Name
fatima
-
Profession
Question
How can patients with organic diseases (cardiac, lung, diabetic) on regular medications fast?
How do they take their medications?
Answer
Any patient with heart disease takinig drugs like diuretics and anti-hypertensive drugs should take their medications at breakfast time (Futur), and not to take this in the early morning. In addition, they should divide their medication.
For patients with diabetes, they should control their blood sugar before Ramadan and they must monitor their blood sugar regularly, always watching for the alarming signs of low
blood sugar (feeling dizzy, sweaty, hungry and weak). If they feel any of these symptoms, they should check their blood sugar, and if it’s low they should break their fasting immediately.
