When one is not able to fast for whatever reason, it can often feel like we are missing out on the positive spirit of Ramadan. It is normal to feel this way, however, it doesn’t have to feel this way as not being able to fast only takes away a single element of the whole experience.

Ramadan is a great time to increase acts of ibadah so you can use this time to focus on developing your relationship with the Qur’an, reading it more and pondering over the meaning. You can also offer more voluntary prayers and give more in charity at this time.

It’s also important to remember that fasting does not only include refraining from eating and drinking, but is about being more cautious about your own behaviour as well in terms of controlling your tongue and so on. Being more mindful of these things during Ramadan is a great exercise in spiritual development in the same way that fasting is.

These are important skills to learn and remember and purify ourselves and Alhamdulilah, Ramadan gives us the opportunity to focus on this. This is a very important part of Ramadan that can be done whether or not you are able to fast. Ramadan also encourages us to remember those that don’t have food and drink.

Fasting can help us to appreciate that, but even if you don’t fast, this does not stop you from remembering those in need and the struggles they face and using this opportunity during Ramadan to remember them and give more in charity, especially at this time. Additionally making dua for people in this situation can be very humbling and instill a sense of gratitude in you as you remember those with less.

Aside from the spiritual elements addressed above, there is also nothing stopping you from enjoying the same festivities as everyone else just because you can’t fast. You can still be involved in helping out with preparing suhoor and iftar and sharing food with others. You don’t have to separate yourself from those who are fasting.

You may join them when they take their suhoor and iftar and be part of it all as much as anyone else. This will help to maintain the family spirit during this time as you embrace a sense of togetherness for the same purpose.

Do also remember that since you have a medical condition that prevents you from fasting, you will still be rewarded for it as if you had. In fact, you will be rewarded for safeguarding yourself by not fasting.

May Allah make it easy for you and reward you every efforts during the month of Ramadan. May He grant you the sense of spiritual connection that you search for at this time.