Fiqh of Fasting: Permissible to break fast for a pregnant or nursing woman

7. Permissible for a pregnant or nursing (breast feeding) woman
It is permissible for a pregnant or breast-feeding woman to break her fast in Ramadaan. If the pregnant woman is worried that her own health is at risk or the health of the fetus/child then she can choose not to fast or break her fast. But she has to repay it. As for repaying it there is quite a bit of difference of opinion and controversy regarding this matter. The opinions can be divided into three:

1 – That they have to make up the fasts only whether it was for their own health or the child/fetus’s. View of Imaam Aboo Haneefah and among the Sahaaba, Ali Ibn Abee Taalib.

2 – If they fear for their own health, then they have to make up the fast only, and if they fear for their fetus then they have to make up the fasts and feed one poor person for each day they missed a fast. View of Imaam ash-Shaafa’i and Imaam Ahmad and among the Sahaaba, Ibn ‘Umar.

3 – They only have to feed the poor and not make up any fasts. Among the Sahaabah, this was the view of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas. Also another opinion of Ibn Umar according to Ibn Qudaamah in al-Mughni (3/37).

Anas ibn Maalik said that the Messenger of Allaah (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah has relieved the traveler of fasting and half of prayer, and He has relieved the pregnant and breastfeeding woman of fasting.” The report found in Sunan al-Nasaa’i (2274); Classed as saheeh by Imaam al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. The Prophet (sall Allâhu’ alayhi wa sallam) stated that the ruling on pregnant and breastfeeding women is like the ruling on the traveler. The traveler may not fast and has to make it up later, and this also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women. One may prefer any of these rulings and the methodology is to research the matter properly and choose an opinion based on proofs that one feels are strong.

Related Posts:
Prologue
Introduction
Chapter 1: Fasting in Ramadhaan

Chapter 2: Conditions in which breaking fast is Permissible, Impermissible, or Recommended
1. Impermissible to break fast during Ramadhan
2. Prohibited to fast for a woman in her menstrual or post-partum bleedin
3. Obligatory to break it when it is required to save a person’s life
4. Recommended to break fast for one who is ill and fears harm from fasting.
5. Recommended to break fast when one is traveling
6. Permissible for one to break fast who begins a journey while fasting
7. Permissible for a pregnant or nursing (breast feeding) woman
8. Change of condition of a person doesn’t obligate one to refrain from eating and drinking the rest of the day.
9. Prohibited to fast a voluntary fast instead of an obligatory one.

Chapter 3: That which Invalidates Your Fast
Chapter 4: Repayment of Missed or Broken Fasts
Chapter 5: Recommended, Disliked, and Impermissible Days of Fasting

(Chapter 4 & 5 – Insha’Allah comming soon around Eid al Fitr)

3 Responses to “Fiqh of Fasting: Permissible to break fast for a pregnant or nursing woman”


  1. 1 shabana alam September 27, 2006 at 5:28 pm

    assalaam alaikum,

    i want to ask that if a pregnant woman keeps her fast after the baby is born but it takes time for her to keep the missed fast and unfortunately she dies before keeping her missed fast than what is the ruling in islam.

  2. 2 danishhasan September 29, 2006 at 3:03 pm

    As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahamtullah,

    I hope everythign is fine with you inshaAllah. Sorry for the late response.

    Firstly, May Allah forgive the deceased muslim sister for her sins, and grant her paradise. Ameen

    to your question, I asked 2 brother who have studied Islam and graduated form islamic universities about this and they both said there are different opinions amongst scholars, but the most proper ruling seems to be that she is forgiven. Because she did not have control over when she was goign to die, as only Allah’s Will determines this. Islam doesnt hold responsible people for that which they have no control over.

    JazakAllahu khayran (May Allah reward you!)
    Was Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahamtullah


  1. 1 Fiqh of Fasting: Obligatory to break it when it is required to save a person’s life « IBN AL HYDERABADEE Trackback on September 26, 2006 at 7:16 pm

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Fiqh As Sawm

Islamic Rulings Surrounding Ramadhan and Fasting. Based on “Manar As Sabeel Fi Sharh Ad Daleel” Of Shaykh Ibraheem ibn Duwaiyan (d. 1353 AH) as explained by Br. Salim Morgan. Transcribed and Edited By Ibn Al Hyderabadee

Prologue Introduction

Chapter 1: Fasting in Ramadhaan
1. A pillar of Islam 2. Obligation of Fasting 3. Sighting of the Moon for start of Ramadhaan 4. One reliable witness' presence is sufficient 5. Conditions that make Ramadhan Obligatory for an Individual 6. Expiation for the inability to fast due to age or illness 7. Requirements of a valid fast 8. Obligations to fulfill during fasting 9. Recommended acts of fasting

Chapter 2: Permissions and Prohibitions

1. Impermissible to break fast during Ramadhan 2. Prohibited to fast for a woman in her menstrual or post-partum bleedin 3. Obligatory to break it when it is required to save a person’s life 4. Recommended to break fast for one who is ill and fears harm from fasting. 5. Recommended to break fast when one is traveling 6. Permissible for one to break fast who begins a journey while fasting 7. Permissible for a pregnant or nursing (breast feeding) woman 8. Change of condition of a person doesn’t obligate one to refrain from eating and drinking the rest of the day. 9. Prohibited to fast a voluntary fast instead of an obligatory one.

Chapter 3: That which Invalidates Your Fast

1. Intentional Intake of anything into the abdomen 2. Intention to break fast 3. Fluctuating Intention to fast 4. Vomiting intentionally 5. Menstruation or Post Partum Bleeding 6. Masturbation 7. Marital Relations 8. Cupping for both parties 9. Death 10. Apostasy 11. Above are Exempted in some cases

Chapter 4: Repayment
1. Missing a day of fast in Ramadhan
2. When does one make up a missed fast
3. If missed fast are not made up until few dats before next Ramadhan
4. Missed fasts first or voluntary?

Chapter 5: Recommended, Disliked, and Impermissible Days of Fasting
1. Recommended Every Other Day Sawn Dawood
2. The three white days of every Islamic month
3. Six days of Shawwaal
4. Month of Muharram and the 10th
5. Ten days of Dhil Hijja and that of Arafat
6. Disliking of the month of Rajab
7. Disliking of the day of Friday
8. Disliking of the 30th of Shabaan
9. Impermissibility of fasting on the two Eids
10. Completing of a voluntary fast is not Wajib

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