Ramadan & Mental HealthCategory: QuestionsRamadan & Mental Health
Mahmoud Khan asked 3 years ago

Salam,
my question is regarding mental health issues and fasting.  I have found that some days I can fast with no issue and other days that are very difficult as I am dealing with a long history of severe anxiety issues, severe ptsd that while fasting causes me to have horrible racing thoughts throughout the day.  This condition also causes me to lose hope and sometimes skip prayer as well. What consequences do I face and how can I make up for it because I hate that it is making me flip flop so many times even though I do believe I should be doing all of these things and I am trying as much as possible to remain on the righteous path am I just a hypocrite? Or do I have a justification?

1 Answers
Fadhel Al-Sahlani Staff answered 3 years ago

Salamun Alaikum! Hope you are doing well. We are sorry for replying you late.
If fasting affects your health condition (physical or mental) which is either unbearable or causes more health complexities then you should not fast until you are able to do it.
For the missed fasting, you have to do “Qadha” if you are able to do it. If you are not able to do the fasting then alternatively you can give an amount equal to three quarters of kilogram (3/4) of wheat/rice for each single day missed fasting. This amount should be given to the deserving poor momin/momineen. You can send to Imam al-Khoie Islamic Center.