Ramadan Eating Disorder Resources
The Quran clearly states that fasting is not required for an individual who is ill. This includes individuals struggling with eating disorders because an eating disorder is an illness. Missed fasts can be made up when one is healthy.
“…and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days)…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]
Questions answered
These answers come from Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid, a Palestinian-Saudi Sunni Islamic scholar. We understand that not all Muslims around the world are the same and agree with all scholars. However, these answers do not include topics that are generally sources of controversy amongst Muslims. Nonetheless, if you have concerns or other questions, please feel free to contact us. Also feel free to review the biography and qualifications of Shaykh Muhammad as linked above.
Many answers use the pronouns he/him/his due to language barriers.
Should I fast if I have an eating disorder?
“The sick person who fears that fasting may make his sickness worse or that it will slow down his recovery or damage a part of his body, has the option of not fasting, and indeed it is Sunnah (a precedent of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) for him not to fast and it is makruh (discouraged) for him to complete his fast, because that may lead to his death. So he has to be cautious and protect himself.” 1
What determines whether I am sick enough to not fast or to break my fast?
“Sickness is known either from the report of a trustworthy doctor (or other licensed clinician) or from the person’s own experience, if he fasts and finds that fasting harms him or causes great hardship for him.”
“Most of the scholars…are of the view that the sick person is not allowed to break his fast in Ramadan unless the sickness is severe. What is meant by severe sickness is:
The sickness will be made worse by fasting
Recovery will be delayed by fasting
Fasting will cause intense hardship, even if it does not make the sickness worse or delay recovery.
The scholars also included those who fear that they may become sick because of fasting.” 2
Other ways to participate in Ramadan
You can engage in additional prayers such as Taraweeh and Tahajjud and spend more time in the remembrance of Allah. (This is not to say that your mental health struggles are due to the fact that you are not praying “enough” — only that additional prayer is a way you may participate in Ramadan.)
Giving back and engaging in community service can be especially rewarding during Ramadan. If you live in Houston, Dallas, or New York City, you can volunteer with the Muslims Giving Back Hunger Truck. You can also find volunteer opportunities with Islamic Relief USA or your local mosque.
You can read more Quran and read its translation to understand it better. You can also listen to lectures and tafsir (explanations of the Quran) from scholars whose beliefs align with your beliefs.
Resources to Read
Dr. Omara Naseem’s Ramadan & Eating Disorders Guide
Topics Covered:
What is Ramadan?
Why is fasting important?
Eid al-Fitr
Should I fast with an eating disorder?
What to do if I can’t fast?
Should I follow my meal plan during fasting?
What if I binge or purge?
I’m finding the food focus difficult?
Dietetic Advise and Meal Planning by Dietician Fareeha Jay
How to provide support to those with an Eating Disorder during Ramadan?
How do I eat after Ramadan?
International Journal of Eating Disorders Research Article on Fasting and ED Risk:
Akgül, S., Derman, O. and Kanbur, N.Ö. (2014), Fasting during ramadan: A religious factor as a possible trigger or exacerbator for eating disorders in adolescents
Educational Article to share with your family and (possible non-Muslim) clinician: Ramadan & Eating Disorders: How They Intersect & What to Do About It
Written by: Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW — Primary Therapist at The Renfrew Center of New York City
Educational Article to share with your (possibly non-Muslim) clinician: Ramadan: The Battle of Fasting for God or Eating Disorders?
By Malak Saddy, RDN, LD
War Against Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders during Ramadan Guide – Healthy Ramadan, Healthy You
By Maha Khan
Resources to Listen
Who are you really fasting for? — Savor Food and Body Podcast
“Malak Saddy is back giving us a behind-the-scenes view of how religious practices intersect with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image. We're talking about how religious practices like fasting can be helpful or harmful when you're working on healing your relationship with food and your body. Malak shares her experience as a Lebanese Muslim American and debunks some of the common misconceptions about the Muslim faith and Islamic Culture.”
Eating Disorders Don't Discriminate | Samiha Rahman
An Interview with an advocate for eating disorder awareness amongst Muslims — Watch on Youtube
Ramadan and Eating Disorders with Maha Khan — Middle East Eating Disorders Association Podcast
“In this episode, Eating Disorder expert Dietitian Hala Abu Taha chats to Mental Health Advocate Maha Khan, of @islamandeatingdisorders about navigating Ramadan with an Eating Disorder.”
Eating Disorders in Muslim Populations: A conversation with Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW — All Bodies. All Foods. Podcast
“Join us for this enlightening episode with eating disorder & body image therapist, speaker, and writer Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW (she/her/hers). Research suggests that eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction are significantly higher in Muslim teens compared to their Christian classmates. Fatema illustrates the unique challenges in recovery and treatment for Muslim populations, including ways in which evidenced based modalities can be potentially harmful and pathologizing for those in collectivist cultures. Fatema provides guidance and practical tools on how to support Muslim clients who are navigating eating disorder recovery while also participating in Ramadan or exploring their gender identity.”
The Mindful Muslim Podcast #13 – Ramadan and Eating Disorders (from a young Muslim male perspective)
“Whilst Ramadan is an extremely positive time, for some it is a nightmare, and not because of the perfect ordainment from Islam but because of their own mental health issues which Allah has excused, but society does not. Join us for Wajid's strenuous journey as a young survivor of mental ill health who discusses his battle of starvation and self-hate. He takes us back to the deep roots of his trauma, how this inner conflicted manifested, and finally his recent recovery. Some viewers may find the contents of this podcast upsetting, however it is one worth tuning into. Not only to gain an insight into eating disorders which is something already frowned upon, but from a young male perspective.”
Helplines and Support
USA:
Naseeha Mental Health Hotline for Muslims 7 days a week (12pm-9pm EST). 1 (866) 627-3342
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders 5 days a week (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST)
1-630-577-1330
Amala Muslim Youth Hotline M,W,F,Sat and Sun (6 pm- 10pm PST) 1-855-952-6252
Institute for Muslim Mental Health They provide courses and models to train Imams, Islamic chaplains, and community leaders to recognize severe mental illness, refer to appropriate professionals, and offer basic supportive counseling.
Muslim Association for Psychological Services MAPS is a social enterprise of independently practicing licensed Muslim clinicians divided into chapters around the world. This resource is for you to find a local Muslim therapist in your area who best fits your needs.
South Asian Therapists — find a therapist near you
SEEMA Mental Health Support Groups
Canada:
Nisa Helpline for Muslim Women 7 days a week (10 am-10 pm EST) 1-888-315-6472
South Asian Therapists — find a therapist near you
UK:
Muslim Youth Helpline 7 days a week (4pm-10pm) 0808 808 2008
Muslim Women’s Helpline 5 days a week (10 am - 4 pm) 0800 999 5786
BEAT Help for England Helpline: 0808 801 0677
BEAT Help for Scotland Helpline: 0808 801 0432
BEAT Help for Wales Helpline: 0808 801 0433
BEAT Help for Northern Ireland Helpline: 0808 801 0434
South Asian Therapists — find a therapist near you
Australia:
Muslim Association for Psychological Services MAPS is a social enterprise of independently practicing licensed Muslim clinicians divided into chapters around the world. This resource is for you to find a local Muslim therapist in your area who best fits your needs.
South Asian Therapists — find a therapist near you
Anywhere in the World
War Against Eating Disorders — War Against Eating Disorders is a blog dedicated to addressing eating disorders within the Muslim community in order to raise awareness around the subject.
Contact us.
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