Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate.
If you have reasons to fear harm from fasting, then it would be best to delay doing so. Have the intention that if you had the physical strength you would have fasted. If you make this firm intention, with longing for the reward and Divine Pleasure, you will have both, as the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) promised,
“Actions are by intentions, and each person shall have what they intended.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
There are many hadiths that affirm that if one sincerely intended to do something and was unable to, one has the reward of the one who does it.
[cf: Shurunbulali, Imdad al-Fattah Sharh Maraqi al-Falah]
This is from the ‘lifting of hardship’ that is fundamental to the mercy central to Islam. The Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Allah loves that His allowances be taken, just as He loves that His resolutions be taken.” [Related by Bazzar with a sound (hasan) chain, Tabarani, and Ibn Hibban in his Sahih]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani
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