Pregnancy and Fasting

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Badat

Question:

My wife will be around three months pregnant by Ramadan. Is she obliged to fast?

Answer:

Mabrook / Congratulations on the pregnancy of your spouse. May Almighty Allah bless your family and make everything easy during the pregnancy and delivery.

Your wife, in the state of pregnancy, has the option to either fast during Ramadan if she feels she has the strength and health to do so. However, if she feels her health or the well being of the child in the womb, will be in danger due to fasting, she may leave the fasting for now. However, when she is in a better state of health and wellness, she is to make up the fasts of all the days missed, anytime during her lifetime. 

Anas (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Certainly, Allah excused the traveler of fasting and a portion of the salah, (Allah has also excused) the pregnant woman and the breastfeeding woman of fasting" (Tirmidhi) 

"The Ulama are of the consensus that when the pregnant woman fears for (the wellness of) her pregnancy, she will eat and drink (not fast), and make up (the missed fasts) later" (Al Jawhar Al Naqi)

Imam Bukhari (r) has recorded that "Hasan (r) and Ibrahim (r) have stated regarding the breastfeeding /nursing and pregnant woman, when they fear for the health of themselves or their children, they will make iftaar (eat and drink) and make up (the missed fasts of Ramadan) later. (Saheeh Bukhari)

Imam Abu Dawood (r) stated, "If they (pregnant and nursing women) are afraid for their children, they may break the fast.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)

"O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing, for days few in number. However, should any one of you be sick or on a journey, then (he/ she should fast) a number of other days (equal to the missed ones)"(Holy Quran 2:183, 184)

And Allah Knows Best