Diabetes and Ramadan

Abstract

The holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar wherein Muslims all over the world observe daylight fasting as one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. As per a recent estimate, there are 1.8–2 billion Muslims worldwide, comprising 18–25% of the world population. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is an obligatory duty for all healthy, adult Muslims, although there are exemptions for people with serious medical conditions, like those with diabetes. Fasting is not meant to create an undue hardship on the Muslim individual. The Quran particularly exempts the sick from the duty of fasting (Holy Quran, Al-Bakarah, 183– 185), especially if there is a potential to the individual because of fasting. Nevertheless, many patients with diabetes mellitus insist on fasting during Ramadan, thereby creating a medical challenge for themselves and their physicians.