Encountering some struggle and some difficulty in life produces good results. Many Muslims are able to fast with relative ease, especially if they have fasted from time to time throughout the year (recommended or optional fasting beyond the month of Ramadan).

Aseel, your mother fasted until she fainted. Do you think you can try a little harder?

Response to the comment posted by Omar, “symbolic of the weak faith Iraq’s people have”–I would think the symbols of weak faith are the dead bodies found on the street that are the result of Muslims killing Muslims. What could demonstrate a worse lack of faith than killing a Muslim?

As I understand it, fasting is in fact a study of edurance, where during the day you face the discomfort of fasting with prayer and patience, so naturally I cannot understand where your colleague’s description of it as ‘hard’ or ‘easy’. After all, before there was running water or electricity there were muslims fasting in Baghdad and surely Ramadan coincided with summer months sometimes. However, if the conditions do not allow you to fast during the day to the point of illness, as it was in your mother’s case, or where you find yourself after sunset without access to water or food, then of course you can fast the days you were forced to miss at a later time, especially if a physician says you must.
The thing about Islam is that it is a faith of moderacy: You are not to overtax yourself to the point of endangering your health, but at the same time you are not supposed to go to the opposite extreme of being overly lax either over the unavoidable discomfort of summer thirst, if it does not endanger you. I think a responsible Muslim would understand this balance and according to it. In the end, I’m sure that God accepts doing your best in judging how to follow His instructions , even if your judgement proves wrong in the end, He is ever wise in the grace of His mercy and compassion. With that, I leave you in God’s blessings. Best of luck to you and yours, and happy Ramadan.

In the month of Ramadhaan there are two times when we should take special care to make dua : at the time of Iftaar (breaking the fast) and the time of Suhoor (beginning the fast). From the hadith we learn that duas are readily accepted by Allah during these times.

Remember my friend that Ramadhaan is a month of forgiveness.

The remembrance of Allah is consoling, pleasant and elevating.

It is a means of strengthening the bond between man and his Creator.