Are you too sick to fast this Ramadan? Are you feeling sad because you think you will miss out on the blessings of Ramadan as you can’t fast and offer Taraweeh in the mosque or read Quran as much as you would like to read?
Or is some one you love not well enough to fast? Would you like to help them fully reap the benefits of this blessed month but you aren’t sure how ?
Don’t worry, insha’Allah in this article, we will see how can we strive for Allah’s 
blessings and maximize the blessings of Ramadan even though we are unable to fast due to sickness.
It’s that time of year again! Ramadan is here! Alhamdullilah, that we are alive to witness it again this year. Well, I am happy to be alive this year. Last year, I was diagnosed with Cancer, Stage 4. Though my doctors were optimistic and everyone seemed happy with the progress, it was not possible for me to fast in Ramadan. Nope. There was no chance at all, with the havoc that chemotherapy and the steroids do to the body.
And this year again, it has come back and messed up with my fasting. Oh how I don’t like this Cancer. And so, I felt sad and unhappy at the idea that I could not take part in all the Ramadan excitement and couldn’t fast. Also, my worship would be hampered because of health issues.
But I was wrong! And now, I know how wrong I was!
Allah 
is so merciful. He just wants us to try. That’s it.
The mercy of this month is open for us: to ask, beseech and beg Him for health and wellness and also to ask for mercy and guidance for all our loved ones.
And so, I want to tell you: Don’t feel sad about missing your fasting. This is Allah’s will. Accept it with good patience. And the good, in fact, the great news is that you can share the excitement, the planning just as everyone else and reap the benefits of this month insha’Allah.
There were some things that I did during Ramadan last year and I am doing this year as well. Ramadan is for everyone: for the one who is fasting and for the one who is not. This is why Allah exempted those who are sick or traveling from fasting, so that they can do what they can with ease as Allah does not burden a soul more than they can bear. And insha’Allah, once you are up to it, you can make up the fasts that you missed.
So let’s see ways in which we can fully reap the benefits and enjoy our ibaadah (worship) this Ramadan!
#1 Make Intention and Dua:
Say to yourself,
“Ramadan is here and Allah
Hurray! Alhamdullilah. And ask Allah to enable you to spend Ramadan in a manner most pleasing to Him.
#2 Get Organized:
It’s still not too late. Get going! Get your du’a book ready. Start writing down all the du’as that you want to make for yourself, your health, your akhirah, your family, your friends snd the ummah. Get your Quranic du’as in one place and the masnoon du’as in another place. Make a basket or box in which you can keep these du’as near your bed or where you rest, so that you can take it out yourself and wouldn’t need to call someone to give it to you every single time. Too weak to read? No problem! 🙂 Get your du’a audios ready in your iPods or mp3’s.
#3 Read Quran Now:
Read Quran from now, if you aren’t already doing it: one page, half a page, what ever you can manage, just do it. If you can’t read, then listen to it: 10 minutes, 15 minutes or how much ever time you can afford to spend and pay attention to without feeling sick. Sadly, I couldn’t listen to a lot Quran with attention. I wish I had been able to. May Allah make it easy for you. Continue this habit even after Ramadan at a pace that you can easily manage. The key is to not overdo, but do! 
#4 Plan Your Month:
I had 2 chemos during Ramadan. One in the beginning and one right before Eid. So I knew exactly on what days I would be down and out. So I invited my sister-in-law for iftar during the “good days” as I really wanted her to come over. So, plan your activities like iftar during any “good days” that you get.
#5 Plan Your Day:
Try to shift your daily activities if you can, so that you are able to wake up more easily in the night for tahajjud and fajr. Start with small goals—10-15 minutes daily. But stick to it. No goal is too small and no achievement is tiny for you. Remember Allah sees the effort that you make. Maybe the reward which you will get for doing ibaadah for 15 minutes will be equal to the reward for a person who does ibaadah for 3 hrs, simply because the amount of effort you put is equal to his effort. Allah knows your struggles. Don’t think its too less. Nothing is less for Allah .
#6 Get Your Fidiyah Ready:
The fidiyah is the amount of money you need to feed a poor person for each day. You can check the ruling regarding this matter here 1 insha’Allah.
#7 Keep your Tongue Moist with the Remembrance of Allah:
Just keep repeating la illahaAllah, SubhanAllah, Alhamdullilah, Astgahfirullah or any other adhkar that you like all the time. Don’t let your energy go waste in thinking negative thoughts. Make du’a…lots of dua all the time
#8 Don’t Miss Your Prayers:
Don’t let anything stop you from praying. There were times when I prayed lying down on the bed, not even knowing how many rakats I had offered. But I just didn’t want to give up. They felt like such an accomplishment. My father, may Allah have mercy on him, used to pray on his hospital bed, during the last 5 days of his life with tubes going in and coming out from everywhere. Just DON’T GIVE UP ON SALAH.
#9 Expect from Allah .. His Mercy and His Love:
Allah loves us: you and me. And He will love you more when He sees you strive to please Him more.
As in a hadith qudsi, Allah says, “I am as My slave thinks of Me, and I am with him when He calls upon Me.” 2
#10 Smile a Lot:
Yes, you heard me right, smile. It’s a form of charity. Smile at every one you see this Ramadan. Not only will it be counted as a charity for you, it will ease your heart and the that of those who love you. As the Messenger of Allah 
said, “Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity…” 3
#10 Don’t Give Up:
Do what you can do. In the part of a beautiful hadith qudsi, Allah says, “..My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him,..” 4
For those of you are taking care of your loved ones and fasting—
May Allah reward you immensely for each act of kindness that you do in taking care of your loved one.
1. Spend Time and Visit Them: I had my family with me , but there was a sister who used to drop in during Ramadan, and specially came to meet me on Eid. And I cannot express in words my feelings of gratitude and love for her. She took time out of her busy life just to soothe me with some comfort.
2. Encourage and Praise Them for What They Can Do : What they can do might seem so tiny to you, but praise them for whatever little they manage to do during this Ramadan. Encourage them when their spirits falter, push and pull them along as much as you can. Recite the Quran to them, make your du’a aloud in their presence. Maybe, all they can manage to do is say ameen, but they will feel good about it. I know that. I have been there.
The Messenger of Allah 
said, “...your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.” 5
Sickness brings with itself a lot of emotions that are as bad as the disease itself. Medicines can cure the disease with Allah’s permission, but the negative emotions can only be cured by the remembrance of Allah and the love of those taking care of the sick.
“…No doubt, in the remembrance of Allah find satisfaction the hearts.”(Ar-Ra’d, 13:28)
This Ramadan, don’t let the days slip away in sadness and despair. Soak in the mercy of Allah and rejoice in the blessings that He has bestowed.
So what if you are sick and unable to fast? Allah’s mercy encompasses all. Alhamdullilah Ramadan is here, with all its glory. Rejoice, as the month of blessings is here.
Say Alhamdullilah that Allah has given yet another chance for you to live through this month once again. Alhamdullilah that Allah has given you the chance to worship Him in a manner pleasing to Him again this year. Who knows, you might catch Layatul Qadr this Ramadan insha’Allah!
I ask Allah to grant you complete health and imaan. May He enable to do acts that are pleasing to Him and may He accept your efforts to please Him. Ameen
If you have any tips and suggestions to help those who are sick, please share with us in the comments section below.
108 replies on “Ramadan for the Sick– Reap the Benefits of Ramadan”
Masha Allah very inspiring article. Jazakallahu Khair May Allah grant cure to you and all those, who are sickened ill and all those, who are suffering from terminal illnesses.
JazakaAllah khairan for your duas 🙂 I am so happy that you liked. Its very sad to be sick and not fasting. Its like being in a candy store but watch others eat
Salamualeicum sister , you brightened up my inner connection with my rubb , juzakaallah khair .
May Allah except all our deeds and forgive us our shortcomings . Amen
Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Ameen 🙂
Jazak Allaha khair such an amezung and boosting your imaan articale . May Allaha guve you shiffa in sha Allaha and may He Swt be pleased with you and your ibbada and aswell as may He mercy on us and accept our ibbadah for this month aamenn ya Rab .
Ameen 🙂
Mahsha Allah this was a great article to read and good tips. I have been sick this year as well and diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I get chemotherapy ever week for 3 weeks and one week off. It is difficult time. but I know Allah loves me and it is well and I accept that. I also hope that he have mercy upon my young children and save them from becoming orphans at such young age. I do read the Quran as much as I can every day. I was thinking of providing some non perishable food to my local mosque for the needs this holly month. I made food for my family and friend who are fasting and took it to their home for Iftaar since Iftaar is so late in the evening and I have no energy to to entertain so late at night. May Allah accept all our prayers and mercy upon us all.
Ameen!!! May Allah give you complete recovery and make your good deeds heavy!
jazakallah its really important, I really benefitted from this article May Allah accept our ibadah in this great month of Ramadan.
Ameen Brother Yusuf
Assalamualaikum wr wb
Ma sha Allah SR , very inspiring article. may Allah swt reward you immensely for all your efforts. May Allah bless you and all those who are sick with swift shifa ameen.
TAHOORUN IN SHA ALLAH:)
Aww… Jazakillah khairan sis Rafia, ameen to your dua’s. May Allah swt grant shifa to all the sick, May He grant health with imaan ameen
Maa Shaa Allal very very nice article Jazakal Allah
Wa iyyaki Salma, please share with your friends and family, Jazakallah khair 🙂
MashaAllah, its very motivational indeed. I sincerely pray to Allah swt to cure you and all other musslims as well,ameen.
Ameen 🙂
JazakAllah for such an inspiring article. My grandmother recently got diagnosed with cancer and was upset because this was her first Ramadan without fasting. I’ll make sure I share this with her. May Allah (SWT) grant you and all Muslims health and happiness. Alameen 🙂
Assalam alai kum Sis Amna,
may Allah swt grant your grandmother health and imaan
Tell her, that she is not alone in this battle with that “silly” cancer.
We all are in it together and together we will win it.. bi izn in Allah!
And please tell her that will always make dua for her whenever i will make for myself.
xoxo
Sana
Jazakallahu Khairan for sharing such a wonderful article with us Sis Sana. May Allaah grant you shifa and cure your illness as soon as possible.You made my heart to melt .Jazakallahu Khairan sister. <3 <3
Jazakallahu khairun… i was really in need of this article… no m feeling some relief.. ☺
Aww sis zameela ,
Jzk for your dua . May Allah swt grant health and imaan to all our sick Ameen
May Allah Swt grant you shifa .Ameen Sum ‘ Ameen.
Ameen. And Jzk sis 🙂
Alhamdulillah every single article that I have read Is a source of inspiration.
The authors are brilliant and meticulous.
No words to describe with a beautiful blog this is.
May Allah bless each and everyone and keep this brilliant blog going from strength to strength.
Aameen
Alhamdulillah, please remember our team in your precious duas. Jazakallah khair 🙂
jazakallahu may Allah give shifaa .
Ameen
[…] you need to feed a poor person for each day. You can check the ruling regarding this matter here 1 […]
I cried a lot and asked Allah to bless you with good health and ummah my dear sister..
May allah grant you perfect health..with allah everything is possible…
jazakallahu khair
Ameen
JazzakAllahu khairan ukhti…very benificial..May Allah swt give shifaa and bless u with ur effort..
Ameen
JajakAllahu Khiran for sharing this beautiful heart felt story. May Allah SWT grant you shifaa and restore your health. Ameen
Ameen
I am going through cancer treatment stage 3 c .
May be I could fast but I have not delt soo weak .was feeling sad after reading ur article feel so better.
jzk for sharing and remember me in duas .want to live few years for my daughter who are just 2 and 6.
MashAllah SIS…. A great article not only for sick policy but for those as well who are fasting!! MAY ALLAH SWT BLESS YOU WITH HEALTH AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO FIGHT THIS DISEASE. AMEEN
Ameen
O Lord of mankind! Remove the disease and bring about healing as You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your Healing, a healing that leaves no ailment.
May Allah swt cure u & all momins ..& give healthy long life with Emaan,Ameen.
Loads of love & Dua
Ameen
May Allah give you ease and bless you with the best of both worlds, please include us in your duas too. Love your article and your spirit ♡
Assalaamu alaikum, sister. Mashala, what an inspiring article, and a powerful reminder and motivator for all, nshala. A hadith instructs us to take from our health for our (possible future) illness. How many of us squander the blessing of good health and fail ro use it in Allah’s worship and doing good deeds. Or are even lax about such things—-while amongst the truly ill are those striving to worship & wish for the health to do more worship. Jazak Allah kheir. May Allah cure you and enable you to continue teaching as well–hope you can write more articles, nshala.
Ameen
Ma Syaa Allah. … Allah grants u strength to fight cancer. I luv reading ur artticle. Very2 inspiring. In Syaa Allah will help others too, to not give up hope when faced wth musibah.
Allah knows our effort…
May He acsept our Ibaadah, forgive our sins and shower us wonderful blessings in dis dunya, keep us away from d torment of grave and May He reserve place for us in Jannah and for our love ones… Ameen ya Rabb…
May Allah give you shifaa sister, what a blog very helpful tips.. I’ll keep that in mind coz like you I’m also suffering from hyper thyroidism its a kind of throught cancer.. I’m feeling d tremors all over my body all d time.. I cant be hungry coz it will increase d shaking, I gave fidya d other year but I still have to fast when I get better.. So, I tried hard to fast last year but I messed lots of days Alhamdulillah getting better diz month.. Ur right, effort does matter and Allah s.w.t. knows it… Shukran, peace and happiness be with us all always 🙂
My Allah ease ur pain n invite u his pradise amiin
Ameen
Walaikmassalam! Jazaak Allahu khairan siso for sharing such an inspirational article with us… Really this article boosted me to do more n more ibadaa in this holy month… May allah (swt) reward u in abundance and n give shifa e kameela wa ajeela to overcome with that sickness..ameen… #appreciated
Ameen
Jazak Allah khaer…My mother has been sufeering from ill…so i will suggest to mother…so that she can be benefited by this Idea…
Salam! Alhamdulillah! for your reply to ny request dwaa for my friend, a sister in Islam. She is fighting against a stage 4 breast cancer while she is under an alternative medicine treatment. I’m happy that I came across this blog which is really timing for a problem we are facing. We hope, with your dwaa, Allah may grant the cure so that she can perform more ibadat in the future. Zajakallah khairan. . .
May Allah bless you,, and may we can stay stronger, more patient and grateful even in the worst condition..
Indeed these articles tells us how the mercy of allah swt is wide & how our deen is easy to perform what we have ordered. Jazakalahu keyiren. May allah make ur ramadan makbul!!
Assalamu alaikkum ..masha Allah…first my prayer and dua for those sick in Ramadan ..also Jazakallah khairan for sharing this life experience story Here…too motivational and thoughtful, which fecility with us and Allah what we had to served…Ya Allah….pls help who struggling with sick…AAmeen…
O Lord of mankind! Please Remove the disease and bring about healing as You are the Healer. There is no healing but Your Healing, a healing that leaves no ailment.
May Allah swt cure u & all mumins ..& give you healthy long life with Emaan,amiin amiin
Loads of love &
Ameen
You’re a wonderful and strong faithful woman , i can feel your beautiful spirit between your honest words, may Allah bless you and grant you what you want and deserve.
Ameen
What an inspiring article not only for those who are unable to fast due to medical reasons but also for those who take the blessing of health as granted. May Allah SWT gives you speedy recovery so that you continue to be source of inspiration to the people like us. Jazak Allah Khairun.
Ameen
Salaam I was born with a a big Liver Disorder need to sleep under a phototherapy lights all the time at night Allah has blessed me with 3Beautiful children it’s very hard for me to fast I did try then was very sick please pray for me thank u Khudah hafiz Sonya
May Allah have mercy on your sick body & on your healthy soul.& on whole Ummah.You too pray for me as I need desperately.
ameen
Asalamualikum, may Allah have mercy on your sick body & on healthy soul of your & may God be merciful to whole Ummah. You too make dua because of desperate need.
Assalam alaikum sister, jazakallah for this blog. I may not know more about you , but i do know that you showed me a perfect path. May Allah (swt) have mercy on you and on your health. Insha Allah you will be worshipping him again with all your needs. Ameen. 🙂
Ameen
jazakallahu khair for dis wonderful post sister…. ur body may b sick bt ur soul s nt lettng u gv up… in sha Allah ul b cured n completely alryt… I too hate ds cancer !!!… recently I underwnt 2 operations cz of ds cancer… Alhamdullilah m alryt nw bt since I was operated in leg… I lost my muscles n nw its nt possibl fr me to pray salah normally… all I can do s sit on a chair n pray !!!!… I was really in need of such kind of advice wich u gav us… in sha Allah vl try my best to follow. .. may Allah bless u n reward u fr ur immense efforts !!! n I pray to Allah swt dat he grant cure to all .. n make evryone healthy. .. Aameen
may Allah swt ease your pain sister, and ameen to your wonderful dua
Assalamu Alaikum, mine is not a reply but a question. What is the Islamic view on insurance?
This is very inspiring article. Jazakhumullahu Akhiran.
Jazaana wa iyyakum Safiyat. Please share with your friends and family. Jazakallah khair 🙂
Assalam alaikum sister. Thank you so much for your inspiring article. May Allah grant shifaa to all the sick all over the world and protect all the suffering Muslim ummah.
Ameen
Asalamualaikum sis
May Allah ease your pain
Alhumdulilah your article make to shed my tears
Jzk for sharing
My dad is not able to fast due to paralysis
Please do pray for him
Allah should bless everyone with good health
may Allah swt grant his complete shifa and ease his pain ameen
really inspiring article for me
alhamdulillah, please share with your friends and family. Jazakallah khair 🙂
sister May Allah pak grant u shifa-e-kamila ameen sum ameen __ lots of duas for u
ameen
Subhanallah walhamdulilla allahu Akbar mashallah what an uplifting story I hope inshallah she is cured from her cancer. Thoughts duas and prayers are with you and your family.
May Allah grant her complete shifa. Ameen
Jazakallah khair for your dua 🙂
Jazakalla …I pray Almighty to cure u within the least possible time …aameen…
Ameen
I AM DIABETIC FOR THE PAST 15YRS. I ALWAYS FEEL A SIGH OF RELIEF WHENEVER I FAST. ALHAMDULILLAH, I BELIEVE THAT FASTING IS A REMEDY TO A SICK PERSON. I ADVISE ANYONE WITH AILMENTS LIKE MINE, TO ENGAGE IN FASTING, WITHIN RAMADAN AND BEYOND(NAFIL), SURELY, ALLAH WILL RELIEVE YOU. MAY ALLAH ACCEPT OUR FASTING AND SUPPLICATIONS AND FINALLY ADMIT US IN JANNAT UL FIRDAUS, AMIN.
Asslam o Alikum and Jazak Allah. Much needed article for me as i survived cancer last year. Chemotherapy and radiation have make me 10 years older than my actual age. I finf it impossible to fast as i am suffering from hepatitis B as well. I have this constant feeling that Allah is angry with me that is why i can’t fast. Though i make dua’s and read Quran regularly. I say my prayers as well. But cant beat this negative thought.
Sister mariya I also survived cancer last year but still cant able to do fasting and having negative thoughts like you may Allah give complete shifa all ill people and u too remember me in your prayers sister
No sis mariya, Allah swt is not angry with you, How can He be? He lovs us so much.
Just do what you can do.
Allah swtwill love what you for Him sincerely.
may HE ease your trial and grant you imaan and health , ameen
JazakAllah khairan for posting ths wonderful article that make my eyes wet.May Allah(SWT) grant u shifa nd oll the muslims who r sick and accpt ua ibadah…Lots of duas for u get wel soon Allah Huma Aameen
ameen
This is so inspiring. Jazakallahu Khair. May Allah in His infinite mercy lay His healing hands upon this our sister.
ameen
Due to genetic illness (GSD) which causes low blood sugar I have never been able to fast. I do other things instead like thasbeeh, listen to lectures, pray, listen & read Quran, contact friends, dua, learn Allah (swt) names. 2 yrs ago I went for my first few taraweeh during the last 10 nights & it was so imaan boosting & relaxing. Last yr I was having too much joint pain to go. This yr IA I can go to some of the last 10 nights again. I learned thru my other’s stroke & my recent joint pain the power of dua. I never prayed with so much khushoo in my life. Dua WORKS, my mom came home during mid Ramadan after a month in hospital & my joint pain is much less & my surgery was even cancelled. Make duas for relieving illness. Do all the easy things & IA those who are sick will get better & also become even closer with Allah (swt). I pray for you sister Sana & all those who are ill.
Jazak’Allah khair for this most inspiring article. I did cry a lot whilst reading your article, completely related to it. I was diognosd last year and this is my 2nd year of missing Ramadan. I love fasting so it is really heartbreaking. Alhamdulilah after reading your article feel so much better. Allah SWT is indeed most merciful. May Allah SWT cure you and grant you a complete and full recovery. Ameen ya Rabb thumma Ameen.
Dear Sana
Jazakallah khair for sharing such an article full of great thoughts.
My Dad has got Lungs Cancer that discovered just before Ramadan. Unfortunately my dad has gave up his all kind of ibaadah that he often makes in usual days. Everyone is saying him to offer salah but sometimes he prays but most of the time he doesn’t.
Sister Sana please advise me how can I get my Dad’s focus towards salah, dhikar and dua
Regards
Be. Abu Sadat
Assalam alai kum Br Abu Sadat,
may Alalh wt grant your dad complete shifa. tell him we all are praying for him and in sha Allah she will be fine.
be gentle with him. make lots of dua for him. pray near him and read quran near him, let him hear your voice read those soothing words. love him more and more.
Cancer also attacks the emotions with te body. if one feels loved and cared for emotionally too then it becomes much easier.i will make dua for him too
Jazakallahu khair.That is lovely article,dear sister.May Allah bless you both here and Hereafter.Aameen
Ameen
assalaamu alaikum,
May Allaah grant you the best in both this world and in the Hereafter. Aameen.
ameen
Asalaam aleykum warahmatullah taala wabarakatu….i have a question,please help me out,in the last 10 days of ramadan,we suppose to read quran frequently,make duas in the middle of the night to receive allah blessigs…what happened if i am in the menstration period,and i want to to make duas and recite quran…what will do i do?
Assalamualikum sister MashaAllah your article is very iformative and soul touchin ai am also a patient of breast cancer and its been almost 8 9 months ago I have complete my chemotherapy and radiation and now I am having on nolvadex but still I am not able to do fast in ramadan beacuse of so much weekness and still having on medicine your article enlightened me and provoke me to offer prayers please sister remember me in your dua’s too as may Allah give me imaan and health and also love for him aameen I also dua for you too complete health inshaAllah
yes sister i will definitely remember you and all those who commented here and are or were suffering from it . In sha Allah you and all of us will me fine.
ya rabbi, please give all sick complete shifa
ameen
Jazakallahu khair.That is lovely article,dear sister.May Allah bless you both here and Hereafter.Aameen
may Allah swt grant you kamil shifa and all the Muslims who are sick and accept all ibadahs
Allahumma Aameen
Ameen
MashaAllah what an inspiring article. It gives hope and direction to those who become hopeless when fighting with cancer. To remain positive is the ‘key’ in the fight against cancer. Alhamdulillah sister you have showed us that it is an immense blessing of Allah s.w.t that He made us Muslims and then we are allowed to witness the month of Ramadan. May Allah grant you shifa e kaamil Ameen. May Allah grant shifa to all our sick and infirm. Ameen. May He s.w.t give us Taufeeq to reap the benefits of this blessed month and the Layl a tul Qadr InshaAllah .
Ameen
Ma sha Allah and Jazakalahu khyran for this. May Allah SWT grant you total shifah and may He accept this as an act of Ihadah from you.
Ameen
Jazakallahu khairan to all of you ullama! We are really benefiting. Thank you.