Ruling on Fasting for a Breastfeeding Woman and How to Make Up Missed Fasts
🔹 Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
❓ Question
Is it permissible for a breastfeeding woman to skip fasting? When should she make up the missed fasts? Can she feed the poor instead of making them up?
✅ Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
➊ If a breastfeeding woman fears harm to her child due to a decrease in milk caused by fasting, then she is allowed to skip the fast.
➋ In such circumstances, she must make up the missed fasts later. She is treated like a sick person, regarding whom Allah says in the Noble Qur’an:
﴿وَمَن كانَ مَريضًا أَو عَلى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِن أَيّامٍ أُخَرَ يُريدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ اليُسرَ وَلا يُريدُ بِكُمُ العُسرَ﴾
(Al-Baqarah: 185)
“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then (he should fast) a number of other days. Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you.”
➌ When the hindrance is removed, she is obligated to make up the missed fasts.
➍ It is better for her to make them up during the short and cool days of winter, or the following year when it becomes easier for her.
➎ It should be noted that feeding the poor is not a substitute for making up the fasts, because feeding is only allowed when a person is permanently unable to make up the fasts due to a chronic excuse or illness.
🖋 This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.
