PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN IN RELATION TO FASTING IN RAMADAN

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-ithnayn, 8th day of Sha'abaan (Monday, 22nd March 2021). *_PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN IN RELATION TO FASTING IN RAMADAN_*. BismilLah. 

First of all, let me remind all that, a husband CANNOT fast to cover his wife's missed Ramadan fastings. 

With regards to Breastfeeding mothers and also pregnant women, two scenarios may apply: 

1. If the woman is not affected by fasting, and fasting is not too difficult for her, and she does not fear for her child, then she is obliged to fast, and it is not permissible for her not to fast. 

2. If the woman fears for herself or her child because of fasting, and fasting is difficult for her, then she is allowed not to fast, but she has to make up the days that she does not fast after Ramadan. 

In this situation it is better for her not to fast, and it is makrooh or descouraged for her to fast. 

ALLAH says concerning one who is sick;

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

Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers come under the same heading as those who are sick. 

It's not required for Pregnant or Breastfeeding mothers who fear or been advised not to fast by a doctor to feed the poor person in place of fasting. Even if you feed the poor, you must still fast after Ramadan whenever possible to cover the missed days. A husband has no right to order his wife not to fast if she feels she can fast even if during early pregnancy. Fasting does not cause miscarriage or any harm to pregnancy or breastfeeding unless those who are sick or struggle during pregnancy who is granted leave not to fast.

If you still owe some days in previous Ramadan, you still must fast all those days after this coming Ramadan. It becomes an accomulated debts to fast whenever possible as feeding the poor does not cover missed Ramadan fastings except for old age people who cannot fast again till death or those with illness without any hope of recovery till death. They can feed the poor in place of fasting each day per each missed days if they can afford if not their relatives can pay to feed the poor on their behalf. 

*_May ALLAH keep guiding us and bless us to be part of those who fast in Ramadan_*. Aameen.