2026-03-12

Ramadhan diaries: Quiet worship of those exempt from fasting

PRAYERS IN RAMADHAN. An elderly woman raises her hands in supplication during the holy month of Ramadhan in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte. (Faisal Camsa/BIO) About 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide observe fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan. Beyond abstaining from food and drink, fasting is a spiritual journey—a time to purify the soul, seek forgiveness, and renew one’s devotion to Allah (SWT). At its heart, fasting is not just about restraint—it is about attaining Taqwa, a deep mindfulness of Allah in every thought, word, and action. Muslims cultivate this Taqwa through prayer, charity, and fasting from dawn to dusk. Yet for those who are exempt, Ramadhan remains sacred even when fasting is not possible. The Holy Qur’an is clear: while fasting is obligatory, there are valid exemptions grounded in mercy. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185), Allah (s.w.t.) allows those who are ill or traveling to make up their fasts later, affirming that He intends ease, not hardship. That same compassion extends to the elderly, the sick, pregnant and nursing mothers, and others whose conditions make fasting harmful. Fasting for the elderly At 75, Saphia Abdullah can no longer endure the physical strain of fasting. Now retired, she spends most of her days surrounded by family in Bubong, Lanao del Sur. “I still pray in whatever capacity I can,” Saphia shared. “And I set aside a portion of my pension as fidya for our neighbors who are in need,” she continued. Fidya is an obligatory charitable compensation in Islam paid for missing Ramadhan fast due to valid reasons such as illnesses, old age, or pregnancy. Over the years, this act of charity has become their family tradition. Her children organize tuton, the practice of providing free iftar (breaking of fast) meals to share with people praying in congregation after the Maghrib prayer. “I have eight children, and they assign among themselves which day they will sponsor the iftar, in honor of my late husband and two of my siblings who have already passed away,” she said. There are rare moments of isolation, especially when most of the household is fasting while she is not. But Saphia has come to accept that her exemption is part of Allah’s divine mercy. “Allah gave me this ease for a reason, and I learned to accept it without guilt.” Safeguarding one’s body as a form of worship In Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, 29-year-old Morshida Domato wakes before dawn each day to prepare suhoor (pre-dawn meal) for her family despite not being able to fast. In previous years, she would pray taraweeh and tahajjud and fast from dawn to dusk with earnest devotion. This year, pregnancy has drastically changed her routines. “I can only perform obligatory prayers because of my back pain,” she said. Morshida admitted that the shift was not easy. For her, slowing down felt unfamiliar and almost like falling behind. However, she also learned that worship may take different forms—through du’a, moments of self-reflection, reading the Qur’an, dhikr, and safeguarding the life within her. Practicing discipline in times of hardship In Iligan City, Jamel Bantasan, 52, would spend iftar with his family in the hospital. He was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and undergoes treatment three times a week, which leaves him physically drained. “I can’t skip my meals because I have to take my meds three times a day,” he explained. During dialysis sessions, fasting is not advisable. The treatment weakens his body, and travel between Iligan City and Marawi City adds another layer of exhaustion. Still, on non-dialysis days, he is allowed to take his medication at suhoor and iftar so he can fast with his family. He also performs salah (prayer) while sitting on a chair when his legs can no longer support him for long. “Qadrullah. Allah does not burden us with what we cannot bear. We just have to endure,” said Jamel. A different form of worship Fasting in Ramadhan is obligatory upon every adult Muslim who is of sound mind and physically able. But the same Qur’an that commands fasting also grants mercy to travelers and the sick; pregnant or breastfeeding women; women during menstruation or postnatal recovery; the elderly; and those with chronic and incurable illnesses. Missed fasts due to temporary conditions are made up later (qada). For those permanently unable to fast, fidya—feeding one poor person for each missed day—is prescribed instead. At first glance, Saphia, Morshida, and Jamel live very different lives. Yet they share one thing—living with Taqwa in every aspect of their lives. None of them equates Ramadhan with hunger alone. They praise Allah in moments of ease and remain patient during hardship. Their stories teach us that Ramadhan is not suspended for the exempt. And exemption from fasting does not exempt one from barakah (blessings). Perhaps that is the lesson of this Ramadhan: Ibadah (worship) is not only about what we abstain from but how we respond to what we are given. And sometimes, the most powerful form of worship comes from the intention of the mind and the heart—and from remembering that Allah’s mercy always comes before His command. (Settie Jehana Baunto/BIO)