●|● FIQH OF FASTING ⇨ ISSUE # 2 ●|●

IS IT PERMISSIBLE FOR PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN TO SKIP OR BREAK THEIR FAST IN RAMADAN?
•► YES.

WHAT DOES SHE HAVE TO DO IF FASTING FOR DIFFICULT FOR HER?
MAKE UP THE FASTS LATER ON (CHECK EXPLANATION)
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Evidence:

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, concerning the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)”

[al-Baqarah 2:184]

“This was a concession granted to old men and old women who are able to fast but it is difficult, so they are allowed not to fast, and must feed one poor person for each day; and for those who are sick or pregnant, if they fear for their children, so they are allowed not to fast and must feed (one poor person for each day).”

Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2317; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 4/25, 18.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen rahimahullaah said:

It is not permissible for a pregnant woman or breastfeeding woman to avoid fast during the day in Ramadaan unless they have an excuse. If they do not fast because they have an excuse, then they have to make up the missed fasts, because Allaah says concerning one who is sick (interpretation of the meaning):

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days” [Al-Baqarah 2:185]

Al-Siyaam (p. 161)

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Pregnant and breastfeeding women come under the same ruling as those who are sick. If fasting is too difficult for them, it is prescribed for them to break the fast, and they have to make up missed fasts when they are able to do so, just as in the case of one who is sick. Some of the scholars were of the view that it is sufficient for them to feed one poor person for each day missed, but this is a weak (da’eef) view. The correct view is that they have to make up the missed days, as is the case of those who were sick and for travellers, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days”

[al-Baqarah 2:184]

This is also indicated by the hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik al-Ka’bi, according to which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah has exempted the traveller from the obligation of fasting and has reduced the prayer by half for him, and has exempted pregnant and breastfeeding women from the obligation of fasting.” (Narrated by the five).

Tuhfat al-Ikhwaan bi Ajwabah Muhimmah tata’alliq bi Arkaan al-Islam, p. 171
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Explanation:

To sum up:

If a woman is not affected by fasting, and fasting is not too difficult for her, and she do not fear for her baby, then she is obliged to fast, and it is not permissible for her to avoid fast.

If she fear for her self or her baby because of fasting, and fasting is difficult for her, then she is allowed not to fast, but she has to make up the days later on when she did not fast. Some of the scholars stated that if a woman fears for her child, it is obligatory for her not to fast and it is haraam for her to fast.

A breastfeeding or a pregnant Muslimah can skip the fasts of Ramadan and they can make up the fasts before next Ramadan without paying any fidyah for it. If they do not make it up before next Ramadan without a valid excuse then they would have to make up the fasts along with paying the fidyah (1.5kg of local staple food).

May Allaah make it easy for our sisters.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength

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