Is There a Way to Be Excused from Fasting during Ramadan Due to Important Exams and Limited Study Time?

Answered by Shaykh Rami Nsour

Question

I have a significant and important exam to study for, and my time is limited. Fasting makes studying more difficult, and I may not get as much done as I should because of the difficulty of fasting. Is there any way I can be excused from fasting this month?

Answer

Seeking a Permissible Income or Career

Allah has ordered that we struggle to pursue a permissible income, which sometimes means establishing a career or an education that requires examinations. But, the importance of those examinations does not overshadow the importance of the obligations of our faith. Thus, taking an exam or studying for it are not valid excuses to break the fast. The books of law (fiqh) give us extensive lists of what is and is not considered a valid reason to break a fast.

We Are People Who Believe in the Unseen

Remember that we believe in the unseen; part of that is that we believe in blessing (baraka). This blessing can be in our time or our efforts. So, while some people make sure to fulfill every possible outwardly apparent means to gain something, as Muslims, we believe that we can do less. Allah puts blessings to fill whatever deficiency may be in our efforts.

Remember Those Who Came Before Us

As an example of blessing, we should remember the noble Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) who defeated the polytheists in the month of Ramadan at the battle of Badr. Those noblemen were fasting during the summer of Arabia, yet their fasting was one of their reasons for victory.