Question:

My question is very sensitive and important for me. I'm very much afraid of Allah and Al-hamdulillah, on Tawheed and try to follow Islam as much as possible and I teach people Islam and do Da'wa work also. And I have learnt a lot from your website Al-hamdulillah, and Allah will give you reward for this, Inshaa Allah. The problem is I cannot fast, due to acidity and I cannot tolerate hunger, hardly I can fast for 2-5 days after that I will start feeling weak and I will get severe headache which will not be relieved until I take tablet which I can't do while fasting, otherwise I try to follow Islam strictly and try to reach the highest level of Taqwa. Now I'm afraid of Allah that I will be punished for this or I'm excused for this as Allah Knows the problem? And to whom I teach Islam and to whom I teach to follow the Islam strictly they treat me like, you only not fasting and some people stopped talking to me, they think that I'm only not following Islam and teaching them. Anyhow I'm not afraid of them and worried what they say, as I'm only answerable to the Almighty Allah. I just want to confirm from you that, what should I do? And one more thing I feed one person as Kaffarah according to 2:184 of the Quran. Please help me to know whether I'm on right path or will be punished? If its like that then at any cost I will try to fast, Inshaa Allah. But believe its really difficult for me and that too I'm working in Gulf not with my family, I can't even cook, my duty is for 12 hrs daily without any off. And I'm 32 yrs old. Please answer me as soon as possible I'm afraid of Allah, as nobody can save from His anger and punishment except Himself. I hope you will answer me at the earliest for the sake of Allah the Great, Inshaa Allah. Please don't delay.

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

We supplicate Allah to cure you from the illness you are facing and grant you strength to fast. After having read your situation we advise you to consult a trustworthy Muslim doctor to decide whether or not your problem could be controlled through some medicine. If fasting is possible by using the prescribed medicine in your Suhoor (predawn meal) before the time of Athaan of Fajr then you have to fast using the medicine. If it is impossible and you can fast some days and some days can not, as you mentioned, then you have to fast only the days you are able to fast.

However, the ruling depends on ability; if you are able to fast then it is forbidden to give up the fasting. The expiation is due only on those who can not fast at all but in your case you can fast periodically so, you have to make up the missed days later as per your convenience.

Finally, we remind you and ourselves as well, of fearing Allah and striving hard to observe His commands.

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb