THE 411 ON EATING DISORDERS IN RAMADAN

What is Ramadan?

Each year, Muslims partakethe holy month of Ramadan, during which they have to fast (which is one of the five pillars in Islam). We are required to fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from food, water, sin, and sex. It teaches us to strengthen our relationship with God, soften our hearts, have patience and practice self-control.

I currently suffer from an eating disorder, should I still fast?

Islam is a religion of simplicity and ease. If you are medically ill and fasting can harm your body further, you are not obligated to fast during Ramadan. Also, please remember that deliberately causing yourself to vomit breaks your fast (this is important to keep in mind if you are suffering from Bulimia).

How should I make up for my missed fasts?

You should pay one meal a day for each fast missed.

I cannot afford to pay that and I have no support from my family, what should I do?

When you suffer from an eating disorder, it can be very difficult when you have no emotional support from your family. Eating disorders are physically draining on the body and mind and can restrict one from working, especially in a food service environment. If you cannot afford to pay for the meals of others, you can simply have the genuine intention to pay once you can afford to - and InshAllah you will be able to pay when it is more feasible.

I am recovering from an eating disorder, should I still fast?

If fasting right now is harmful to your recovery process and will harm your body further, do not fast. It is important to discuss with your doctor, nutritionist, or eating disorder specialist about how your body is doing. Your doctor might request a blood sample to check things like your potassium levels as well as make sure you do not have an electrolyte imbalance. They also might send you for an ECG to check your heart rate. When you suffer from an eating disorder, especially Bulimia, you are at a higher risk of cardiac arrest so it is extremely important to get help from a medical professional who specializes in eating disorders. Eating disorders are usually brushed off and seen as a stereotypical phase that teenage girls regularly go through, but in reality they affect people of all ages, genders, classes, as well as races & are an extremely harmful illness that should be taken seriously. Even if you have not confided with a friend or family member about your eating disorder, you should go see a medical professional to check up on your health. Seeking help is the last thing many people want to do but I urge you to reach out in some way, as it could save your life.

I feel guilty for not fasting... is my eating disorder actually a real medical issue?

Please do not feel guilty. Eating disorders have the worst physical consequences on your body out of all mental illnesses. It is a serious medical issue and needs to be treated as such. God is the most merciful and the most forgiving, He understands what you are going through. Don't forget that.

Instead of focusing on all the ways you feel like you may be missing out on in Ramadan from your inability to fast, focus on other forms of worship. Here are a few suggestions:

- Read Quran (There are 30 Juz/Chapters, so try to read one a day and you can finish the entire Quran during the holy month!)

- Read the Seerah (Life of the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] )

- Read Prophet Stories (There is 29 stories here so you can read one a day!

- Make lots and lots of Dua

- Wake up in the night and pray Tahajud

- Volunteer at your local food bank or with an organization that does amazing work

- Attend a halaqa

- Start a halaqa with friends or family

- Cook meals for your local homeless shelter (if cooking is not a trigger for you)

- Spend time at your local Mosque and try to pray Tarawih (bring your own reusable water bottle with to stay hydrated!)

- Many muslims also may feel alone during this month so try to invite converts/reverts, divorcees, LGBTQ2+, recent immigrants, people with a disability, students, etc., to community events and Iftars (If being around lots of food in a public setting is not triggering for you).

- Rest (try to get a good amount of sleep so you can be more productive!)

- Be in nature and admire Allah's creations

- Connect with individuals who are in a similar situation as you

- Do dhikr

- Look in to seeking professional help and different kinds of supports (you get reward for taking care of yourself!)

- Don't be afraid of opening up to others. Help erase the stigma and release yourself from your preconceived limits so YOU can achieve your true potential! ( I know it seems scary as we think that not everyone will be supportive or understanding, but people will surprise you!) - "most of us are strangely, more alike than we'd like to believe" - Jhené Aiko

Remember, Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, acceptance of duas and prayers, and abundance of reward.

My Muslim friend/family member is suffering from an eating disorder, what can I do to help them during this month?

Be supportive of the individual and trust their choice to not fast. It is already hard enough having an eating disorder, so try not to ambush them with questions such as: "are you sure your disorder is bad enough?", "and statements such as: "you don't look like you have an eating disorder though", "you have to fast, you're gonna get bad deeds", "it's all in your head, you're not really sick", etc. You really don't know what someone with an eating disorder goes through or how they feel on the inside, so please do not assume, generalize, or judge. It is important to watch your tone and body language when talking with them. If someone is confiding in you about their disorder, the last thing they want is to feel judged or make you uncomfortable.

Here are some simple ways to avoid these problems:

- Try to educate yourself on what eating disorders are, while remaining grounded. (a great place to start is NEDA!)

- Don't act like a know-it-all, as you are not a professional nor capable of knowing exactly how the person feels.

- Keep in mind that every person's experience is unique and different

- Check yourself and think before you speak (ex: after breaking your fast, don't say things like "I'm so fat, I ate so much food", "ughh I need to go workout now" - try to create an environment where food is not the enemy, but simply an enjoyable nourishment for the body.

- If your friend/family member does not want to go in to detail about their disorder right now, that is OK. It takes time for people to open up.

- Remind them that you will be there to listen whenever they are ready to talk.

Try to encourage supports such as attending an eating disorder group, seeing a psychologist or eating disorder specialist, or other community resources! Allah (SWT) rewards those who care for others. We should always try to support our brothers and sisters during hard times. This dunya is better lived when we support each other in the healing process & can progress to a healthier lifestyle!

GIRL, what are your Islamic sources though???

For accuracy, I have asked Imam Suhaib Webb for the Islamic ruling on the matter.

"Suhaib Webb is a Graduate of University of Central Oklahoma with a background in Education & Azhar University from the College of Shariah (Islamic Law). Imam Suhaib has served various communities in North America and is currently the founder of S.W.I.S.S. He frequently shares advice, lessons & “SnapWas” on his SnapChat.

He currently resides in New York serving as Scholar in Residence at the Islamic Center at NYU." - (source: www.suhaibwebb.com).

Heal on, my friends.