What is the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients?
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The religion of Islam is a religion of flexibility, ease, and tolerance, and this is what distinguishes it from other religions, as it takes into account the conditions of Muslims and facilitates their acts of worship without hardship or difficulty. Allah Almighty says: {Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship} [Al-Baqarah: 185]. Thus, patients with diabetes have a great share of this ease, as they are permitted to break the fast if the illness is chronic, as a means of alleviating hardship and taking their health condition into consideration.
Through our article today, we have presented to you the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients, passing through the cases in which diabetic patients are permitted to break the fast, and the wisdom behind legislating the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients.
What is the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients?
The expiation of fasting for diabetic patients depends on the type of illness, whether it is permanent or temporary, as follows:
Expiation of fasting for chronic diabetic patients
The expiation of fasting for those who suffer from chronic diabetes is feeding one needy person for each day they break the fast. The amount of the expiation is half a sa‘ of the staple food of the country, such as wheat, rice, or dates, which is approximately one and a half kilograms. It may be replaced with its equivalent monetary value if that is more beneficial for the needy person.
As for the time of giving the expiation for diabetic patients, it can be given on each day of Ramadan in which the patient broke the fast, and it is also permissible to delay it until after Ramadan at any time.
Expiation of fasting for temporary diabetic patients
If the diabetic patient suffers from a temporary illness that is expected to be cured and the doctor advises breaking the fast, then the patient may make up the missed days after Ramadan. If there is a danger to the patient’s life, the makeup fast is delayed to a later time.
The wisdom behind legislating the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients
Below is the wisdom behind legislating the expiation of fasting for diabetic patients, considering that Islam is a religion of ease and takes into account the health conditions of sick Muslims during the holy month:
Facilitating worship and removing hardship, as fasting for a diabetic patient may cause serious complications that could lead to death. In this case, the patient pays the expiation instead of fasting for each day missed, and the evidence for this is the saying of Allah Almighty {And whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days} (Al-Baqarah: 184).
Preserving health from risks, as the expiation is a facilitation and mercy from Allah Almighty, because fasting may threaten the soul and life of diabetic patients.
Achieving the Islamic objectives that seek social justice by replacing fasting with feeding the needy and the poor to spare them from asking.
Cases in which diabetic patients are permitted to break the fast
There are cases in which diabetic patients are permitted to break the fast because they are accompanied by severe symptoms that prevent the patient from controlling blood sugar levels. These cases are:
Type 1 diabetes
Those who suffer from type 1 diabetes are usually exempt due to the patient’s dependence on insulin as a result of constant fluctuation in blood sugar levels. If there is a reduction in doses, severe and dangerous complications and symptoms may occur, and here it is necessary to consult specialized doctors.
Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
Patients with type 2 diabetes are prevented from fasting if they are unable to control blood sugar or if there are permanent complications. However, if the condition is stable, a specific nutrition plan can be created to keep the patient away from the risk of high or low blood sugar, with the possibility of adjusting medications to suit the holy month.
It is also necessary to adhere to regular blood sugar monitoring and to drink plenty of water.
Diabetes accompanied by serious complications
It is advised to refrain from fasting if the patient suffers from serious complications, as they may experience a sudden drop in blood sugar leading to seizures or fainting, and the patient may suffer from heart problems or kidney failure, and it may affect vision and eyesight.
It is necessary for the patient to break the fast immediately if the following symptoms appear:
Severe thirst or frequent urination.
Sweating, trembling, headache, and dizziness.
Blood sugar dropping below 70 mg/dL.
Blood sugar rising above 300 mg/dL.
Cases in which diabetic patients can fast
There are cases in which diabetic patients are allowed to fast during the holy month, as follows:
Diabetic patients who have stable blood sugar levels.
Diabetic patients who monitor blood sugar levels constantly and regularly so they can break the fast in case of a drop or rise.
Type 2 diabetic patients who do not depend on insulin and can adhere to a dietary regimen that avoids risks.
As for type 1 diabetic patients, they cannot fast except under close medical supervision or if blood sugar levels are highly stable, with continuous blood sugar testing at least four times daily.
Important tips for safe fasting for diabetic patients
First, consult a doctor before starting to fast to adjust doses and medications.
Commit to regular blood sugar monitoring.
Eat the suhoor meal immediately before dawn.
Commit to eating healthy, balanced meals that are low in fat and rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber during suhoor.
Avoid soft drinks and simple sugars.
Drink adequate amounts of water at iftar and suhoor.
The amount of expiation of fasting for diabetic patients
The amount of the expiation of fasting for chronic diabetic patients is feeding one needy person for each day they break the fast. The expiation is half a sa‘ or one and a half kilograms of the staple food of the country, such as wheat, rice, or dates.
It must be given to the poor and needy who do not possess their daily sustenance.
As for the amount of the expiation of fasting for temporary diabetic patients, it is making up the fast after Ramadan or fasting when they are able to do so.
When must a diabetic patient pay the expiation?
A diabetic patient must pay the expiation if the illness is chronic and incurable, especially since in this case fasting may cause serious complications or severe symptoms, and thus the patient is in urgent need of food and drink during the day of Ramadan.
If the type of diabetes allows fasting, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to determine the extent of harm and whether the patient can tolerate the hours of fasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a diabetic patient fast in Ramadan?
A diabetic patient fasts in Ramadan under the supervision of a specialist doctor without making any personal decision, as the matter requires adjusting medications and doses and specific meals, with the necessity of drinking sufficient amounts of water.
What does a diabetic patient eat in Ramadan?
At suhoor, a diabetic patient eats meals that contain healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates with slow digestion and absorption, such as yogurt, oats, eggs, and unsalted nuts. At iftar, it is recommended to start with 1 to 3 dates with water, followed by a meal containing protein such as chicken or salmon, vegetables, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
When should a diabetic patient not fast?
Diabetic patients should not fast if blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL or rises above 300 mg/dL, or if symptoms such as vomiting, fever, or heart and kidney problems appear.
What foods are forbidden for diabetic patients?
Diabetic patients are prohibited from eating foods that contain refined carbohydrates, sugars, and unhealthy fats, such as sweetened juices, soft drinks, white bread, fast food, processed meats, and white pasta, as they increase complications of the disease.
When does a diabetic patient take insulin in Ramadan?
A regular dose is injected at iftar, the lunch dose is omitted, and the suhoor dose is reduced by 25 to 50%.
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