Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Asalam ‘alaykum
I am studying at university . My exams will be occurring during the month of Ramadan.I am concerned that fasting will affect my exam performance because of the difficulty to fast in summer and was wondering is there any way I could miss those fasts and make them up later.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
No, you cannot miss your fasts.
Fasting is a duty for the believers. Whoever misses it without genuine excuse doesn’t understand what that means nor what is going on. Mercy and blessings flow down upon the obedient, worshipful servant, and such are the believers whom Allah loves.
Allah Most High says, “And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will grant them a way out, and will provide for them in ways unimagined. And whoever places their trust in Allah, then Allah is their sufficiency. Allah’s affair will surely come to pass–and Allah has made a clear decree for everything.” [65.2-3]
If there is taqwa, there is assistance. If there is taqwa, there is an opening, there is light, there is success. Missing fasts and disobeying Allah in the hope of succeeding in this world is folly. Whoever makes Allah their priority, He suffices them from their other concerns.
Focus, work hard, eat and drink well, get enough rest, and pray at night when others are asleep, asking Allah for success and facilitation, and pray the Prayer of Need [see: How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)?] before each exam. This is the way of the strong believers.
May Allah bless your efforts and facilitate success for you in this life and the next.
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani