Diabetic patients and the Siyam of Ramadan

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Once again the sacred month of Ramadan is just around the corner. Observing Siyam in this blessed month brings us not only the Hereafter benefits but also it plays a significant role in maintaining our good physical health. If those people who are suffering from different diseases, observe Siyam following the instruction of their physicians with regards to the nature of their illness, they will also attain success in the world and Hereafter. This topic especially covers the guidelines for diabetic patients in observing Siyam.

A research overview

In order to learn the impacts of Siyam on diabetic patients, different doctors from Pakistan and abroad, conducted an experimental research a couple of days ago. Initially sugar level of 70 selective diabetic patients were recorded thereafter they were made to observe Siyam and some of them were not involved in this activity. Those diabetic patients who were observing Siyam were given insulin injections half an hour before the Sahari meal and half an hour after the Iftar, plus regular medicines were given to them during the time period other than that of Sawm. This process was carried out during the whole month, and the sugar level was continuously monitored. The result of this process was that the sugar level of those diabetic patients who observed Siyam remained normal whereas fluctuation was observed in the sugar level of those who did not observe Sawm.

Dear Islamic brothers! From this research overview proves that if a diabetic patient observes Siyam of Ramadan according to the instructions of his physician and keeps taking appropriate medicines accordingly then it is beneficial for him. The sugar level is higher than the insulin in the blood of diabetic patient. Diabetic patient’s body gradually consumes this sugar during the Sawm. By the blessings of the Siyam of Ramadan, sugar level of the diabetic patients will not only remain under control but it will also overcome the weakness caused by diabetes as well as one’s  immunity  will improve too.

Diabetic patients may experience few likely problems

Diabetic patients may experience few problems during Sawm:

٭   Deficiency of sugar in the blood is called “Hypoglycemia”. Different analytical studies reveal that diabetic patients despite observing Siyam in the blessed month of Ramadan do not experience deficiency of sugar more than the usual days. Low sugar issue is mostly experienced by those diabetic patients who do not have dinner properly or do not take meal appropriately in the Sahari (meal eaten before observing Sawm).

٭   The excess of sugar in the blood is called “Hyperglycaemia”. In this situation, sugar  keeps on increasing in the blood causing a high blood sugar level for a week or 10 days, and causes weakness, thus, resultantly, a diabetic patient may go into coma. The main reason behind this worse condition is the unbalanced diet during the Sahari and Iftar.

٭   Particularly, during summer season, there is also a risk of dehydration (reduction of water in the body) for those who observe Siyam. So, in order to avoid this problem, between the period of Iftar and Sahari, drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water to make up the water deficiency in the body. During Sawm in summer season, try to avoid such types of works which produce more body sweat.

How should a Sahari meal be?

The diabetic patients should use such diet in Sahari which takes a long period of time to digest for example barley porridge, eating Roti (prepared with unstrained flour) with vegetable or chicken curry etc.

Tip for preventing the intensity of thirst

Those patients who feel excessive thirst should use Qahwa (black-tea) of cardamom in Sahari: Add a cardamom in Qahwa and boil it, then mix a little milk. If there is no high blood pressure problem then the use of Namkeen Lassi (salty yoghurt drink) also prevents thirst during Sawm.

Madani pearls regarding Iftar

Research proves that a date contains 6 grams of carbohydrates; it has minerals, potassium, fibre and phosphorous. Before the Iftar time, exhaustion and tiredness cause deficiency of potassium in the body which can immediately be prevented by eating a date [in Iftar]. The diabetic patients should eat one date in Iftar, and if sugar is under control then they can also eat 2 dates. They should eat sugar-free fruit Chaat, adding a little lemon will make it more beneficial. Drinking a glass of lemon water as a beverage will be beneficial.

Dinner

The diabetic patients can eat a Chapati with curry for dinner or a plate of boiled rice with Salad and Raita. If they feel hungry at bedtime, they can also drink a cup of milk.

Usage of energy drinks

Be it a Sahari timing or Iftar, everybody in general and diabetic patients in particular should avoid different kinds of cold drinks and energy drinks. According to a report, high rate of diabetic patients amongst the youth in Pakistan is linked with energy drinks. As per statistics, 20 to 25 young people drinking 2 to 3 energy drinks are becoming the victims of diabetes daily. Instead of drinking energy drinks, Lassi, lime juice, Sattu (roasted barley/wheat flour), Thaadal (cooling and energizing drink) etc., are natural energy drinks which provide energy and are useful.

Pay attention

If any diabetic patient or anyone suffering from any other disease feels himself that he should not observe Sawm or his physician suggests him not to observe the Fard Sawm of Ramadan then before acting on this instruction, he must seek Shar’i guidance from any authentic Ahl-us-Sunnah Mufti. (For Shar’i guidance, please contact Dar-ul-Ifta Ahl-e-Sunnat on the phone numbers given below.)

If a diabetic patient who suffers from blood pressure too, before acting upon any suggestion mentioned in this article, must consult with his physician.

A worldly advantage of Salah

If the diabetic patients, especially in the blessed month of Ramadan, offer 5 times Salah and 20 Rak’aat Taraweeh with congregation, an additional advantage for them is that اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, they do not have to take any other exercise.

Aa gaya Ramadan ‘ibadat per kamar ab baandh lo

Fayz lay lo jald, yeh din 30 ka mehman hay

(Wasail-e-Bakhshish, pp. 705)

(Dr. Muhammad Kamran Ishaaq Attari (Majlis Tibbi Ilaj, Dawat-e-Islami) has carried out medical scrutiny of this article. All treatments should be carried out as per your doctor’s advise)

Phone numbers & Email address of Dar-ul-Ifta Ahl-e-Sunnat