Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

The pregnant woman and the breast-feeding woman

If the pregnant Woman breaks her Fast she only makes up for the Fast

Q: I was pregnant during the month of Ramadhan, so I broke my fast and I fasted other days in place of these days completing what was due on me and I gave charity.

Then I became pregnant a second time in the month of Ramadhan, so I broke my fast and I fasted other days in place of these days from another month. I made up for the fasts by fasting every other day for two months. However, I did not give any charity. Is there anything in this situation that makes it obligatory upon me to give charity?

A: If the pregnant woman fears for herself or her child in her __ womb from fasting, she breaks her fast and she is only obligated to make up for the fast. Her situation in that is the situation of the sick person who is not strong enough to fast or who fears for himself from fasting. Allah said: "And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (he may make up for his fast from) a number of other days" (Al-Baqarah 2: 185).

The Permanent Committee

She did not make up for the Fasts due to fear for her breast-feeding Child

Q: A woman gave birth in Ramadhan and she did not make up for the fasts after Ramadhan due to fear for her breast-feeding child. Then she became pregnant again and she delivered in the next Ramadhan. Is it permissible for her to distribute money instead of fasting?

A: It is obligatory on this woman to fast in place of the days that she did not fast, even if it is after the second Ramadhan. This is because she only left off making up for the fasts between the first Ramadhan and the second Ramadhan due to an excuse. I do not know would it be difficult upon her to make up for the fasts in the wintertime by fasting every other day. Even if she is breast feeding, verily Allah will give her strength and that will not harm her or her child. Therefore, she should strive as much as she is able to make up for the fasts of the Ramadhan that passed before the next Ramadhan comes. If she is not able to do so, there is no sin on her in delaying it (making up for it) until the next Ramadhan.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaimin