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Here's one fatwa out of the United Arab Emirates that I can actually commend. There aren't too many that I agree with, but at least in this case they are thinking beyond blind ritual to actual concern about the people's health and welfare.
Ramadan, as most people are aware, begins very soon, and everyone knows that the mainstay of Ramadan is fasting. However, considering the extremely high heat and humidity in the Gulf region, and the potential health hazards that extreme heat can cause, the UAE government has said that it would be okay for certain people to break the fast.
Workers contending with high heat and humidity can break their Ramadan fasts to avoid health problems, according to a fatwa issued by the state religious authority in the United Arab Emirates."It is permissible for workers in certain professions to break the fast because of severe hardship," says the fatwa, or Islamic religious edict, issued by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
However, it also says that this is on the condition that the worker start the day fasting, and stop only when it is too difficult to continue.
Apparently, the Fatwa came after a man who works on an oil rig asked about a possible concession with regards to breaking the fast because of health issues. We all know, at least some of us do, that drinking liquids in excessive heat is very important, and as much as one's spiritual duties are important so is one's life, for without it there is no spiritual life. Lack of water can cause heat stroke and dehydration. There are also certain people, like diabetics who need to keep their blood sugar levels normalized and fasting would be perilous for them, particularly in extreme heat, although I'm not sure if diabetics are included in the group of those allowed to break the fast.
Initially posted on the General Authority's website, it was also approved by Sheikh Farhat al-Saadi al-Manji, of al-Azhar.
"The Fatwa is true; there are strenuous jobs where temperatures are too high exposing workers to dangerous health problems if they fast."
Hopefully people will pay attention to their health during the next month and make sure they keep themselves hydrated, especially if they have heart disease or diabetes. And hopefully, other countries in the region will follow suit.
Finally a sensible fatwa.
