Question:
A woman gave birth to a child during Ramadan and was unable to fast. After Ramadan, she could not make up for the missed fasts due to breastfeeding. Later, she became pregnant again and gave birth to another child in the following Ramadan. Is it permissible for her to compensate for the missed fasts by distributing money instead of fasting?
Answer:
It is obligatory for this woman to make up for the missed fasts (Qada) from the previous Ramadan, even if it is after the second Ramadan. Since she was unable to fast between the two Ramadans due to a valid excuse, she is not sinful for the delay.
I do not know whether making up for the fasts during winter while breastfeeding would be difficult for her or if Allah will grant her the strength to fast without affecting her health or milk supply. Therefore, she should try to make up for her missed fasts before the arrival of the next Ramadan, according to her capacity.
If she is unable to do so due to a genuine necessity, she may delay the fasts until she is capable of making them up, even if it means postponing them until after the second Ramadan.
— Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمه الله)
