“Not even water?” This is one of the most common questions Muslims receive when fasting during Ramadan. No, we cannot eat or drink while fasting. But Ramadan is the most beautiful and awaited month of the year for Muslims. However, for individuals with chronic health conditions such as lupus, Ramadan can pose unique challenges.
In 2025, Muslims celebrate Ramadan approximately from the end of February to the end of March. (It changes yearly based on the lunar calendar, getting earlier and earlier.) While fasting is a religious obligation, some people are exempt because of their health, age or other circumstance that is incompatible with fasting. Islam also emphasizes the importance of health and well-being, and being unable to fast doesn’t lessen your faith or devotion.
If you have a chronic illness like lupus, you should consult your health care team before fasting or making any changes to your medications.
Lupus and Its Impact on Fasting
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body, including the kidneys, skin, joints, and heart. Its symptoms — fatigue, joint pain and organ involvement — can make prolonged fasting more challenging. Factors like medication schedules, hydration needs, and the potential for flare-ups must be carefully considered.
Types of Fasting
Fasting for Ramadan is a well-known religious practice observed for centuries around the world. You may have heard of two other common forms of fasting: intermittent fasting, popular in wellness circles, and medical fasting, required for specific health care purposes. Although these three types of fasting differ in their rules, intentions and flexibility, they all abstain from food or liquid for specific periods.
Fasting for Ramadan is the longest and most complex form of fasting. Ramadan fasts follow a structured schedule tied to the lunar calendar and involves abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours for a month. For Muslims with lupus who are able to fast, this often requires significant planning to manage medications, hydration, and energy levels while adhering to the fasting rules.
Key Considerations for Fasting with Lupus
- Talk to Your Doctor: Lupus is a complex disease, so there is no one rule for everyone with lupus. However, if you fear fasting will harm or worsen your health, a trustworthy doctor can consider all your diagnoses to provide personalized advice and help you determine whether fasting is safe for you at this time. Before fasting, you may want to ask your doctor several important questions, such as:
- Is fasting safe for my specific condition?
- Could fasting interfere with my current treatments or lab results?
- What signs of a flare-up should I watch for?
- Are there particular signs I should observe to stop fasting immediately?
- Are there specific dietary recommendations I should follow when I break my fast?
- Medication Management: Lupus often requires regular medication, including anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants, or corticosteroids. Work with your doctor to adjust your medication schedule to align with suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) and iftar (the meal to break the fast). Remember, never stop any of your medications or change the way you take them without talking to your health care team first.
- Hydration: Dehydration can make lupus symptoms worse, particularly kidney involvement. Prioritize hydration during non-fasting hours by consuming water-rich foods and drinking plenty of fluids between iftar and suhoor. You should drink the same amount of water at night that you would drink during a non-fasting day. (Pro tip: Allow your body to gradually absorb the fluid and prevent overloading your bladder by sipping water steadily throughout the evening, instead of large quantities in short bursts.)
- Balanced Nutrition: People can gain weight during Ramadan by eating poorly. While we all love the delicious fried foods that the aunties make, try to focus on nutrient-dense foods during suhoor and iftar to sustain energy levels and minimize inflammation. Incorporate lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Listen to Your Body: Some people tolerate fasting better than others based on their condition, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. Pay attention to warning signs, like extreme fatigue, dizziness, or a lupus flare. If these symptoms arise, you should immediately inform your doctor.
If your doctor advises against fasting, it doesn’t diminish your faith. It’s important to recognize that everyone’s situation is different, and your health should come first. For those with invisible chronic illnesses like lupus, not fasting during Ramadan can feel isolating, especially when there’s pressure to explain personal medical details to others. It’s important to remember that taking care of your health is essential and part of Islam, so if it isn’t safe for you to fast, there are many other ways to connect with your faith.
Fasting for a month isn’t easy, but for those who are able to do it, it’s a beautiful experience. Whether you are able to fast or not, Ramadan offers a great opportunity for change — making better and healthier choices that you can carry with you through the rest of the year!
This post was originally published on this site