Islamic Ruling on Fasting for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women ✍ Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus-Salam (حفظه الله)
❖ Ease for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Islam Regarding Fasting
Islam offers leniency and concession for pregnant and breastfeeding women regarding fasting, acknowledging that their physical condition differs significantly from that of others. If fasting poses a threat to the health of the mother or the child, then Shari'ah provides a valid exemption for them.
❖ In the Light of the Qur’an
Allah Almighty says:
"وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًۭا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّهُ ۚ وَأَن تَصُومُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)
Translation:
“And those who are able to fast with difficulty, they have (the option to give) a ransom: feeding a poor person. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And to fast is better for you, if you only knew.”
According to the scholars, this verse initially granted a concession to those who faced great hardship in fasting due to weakness. The renowned Companion Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) explained in the tafsir of this verse that pregnant and breastfeeding women are also included in this ruling. If they face difficulty in fasting, they may give fidyah (compensation) instead.
❖ In the Light of Hadith
① Concession for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَضَعَ عَنِ ٱلْمُسَافِرِ ٱلصَّوْمَ وَشَطْرَ ٱلصَّلَاةِ، وَعَنِ ٱلْحُبْلَىٰ وَٱلْمُرْضِعِ"
(Sunan Abi Dawud: 2408, Sunan al-Nasa’i: 2315, Musnad Ahmad: 19360)
Translation:
“Indeed, Allah has relieved the traveler of fasting and half the prayer, and (relieved) the pregnant and the breastfeeding woman (of fasting).”
This Hadith clearly demonstrates that pregnant and breastfeeding women are permitted to skip fasting if they experience difficulty.
② Qada (Making up the Fast) or Fidyah (Compensation)?
Narrated from Ibn Abbas (RA):
"إِذَا خَافَتِ ٱلْحَامِلُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهَا، وَٱلْمُرْضِعُ عَلَىٰ وَلَدِهَا فِى ٱلصَّوْمِ، أَفْطَرَتْ وَأَطْعَمَتْ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِينًۭا وَلَا تَقْضِى"
(Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2317, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 9137)
Translation:
“If a pregnant woman fears for herself, or a breastfeeding woman fears for her child during fasting, she may break the fast and feed a poor person in place of each day, and she is not required to make up (qada) the fasts.”
This narration is a strong proof that there is no obligation of qada, rather fidyah is sufficient for such women.
❖ Understanding of the Companions (RA)
✔ Fatwa of Ibn Umar (RA)
When Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) was asked what pregnant and breastfeeding women should do if they cannot fast, he replied:
"تُفْطِرُ وَتُطْعِمُ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِينًۭا"
(Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2318)
Translation:
“They should skip the fast and feed one poor person for each day.”
✔ Fatwa of Ibn Abbas (RA)
Ibn Abbas (RA) said:
"إِذَا خَافَتِ ٱلْحَامِلُ أَوِ ٱلْمُرْضِعُ، أَفْطَرَتْ وَأَطْعَمَتْ وَلَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهَا"
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)
Translation:
“If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears for her child or her health due to fasting, she may skip the fast and give fidyah. There is no qada upon her.”
❖ Summary and Conclusion
① If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman experiences no hardship in fasting, then fasting is better and preferable.
② If fasting poses a risk to the mother’s or child’s health, then she may leave the fast.
In such cases, there are two scholarly opinions regarding what is obligatory in return:
✿ Opinion 1:
✔ Ibn Abbas (RA), Ibn Umar (RA), Hasan al-Basri, Ata’, Sa'id ibn Jubayr (رحمهم الله)
→ Fidyah is sufficient; no qada is required.
✿ Opinion 2:
✔ Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمهم الله)
→ Qada (making up the fast later) is obligatory.
Both views exist among contemporary scholars as well.
If a woman finds it difficult to make up the fasts later (e.g., due to frequent pregnancies or ongoing breastfeeding), then giving fidyah is more suitable. If she has the opportunity to fast later without difficulty, then making up the missed fasts is better.But if there is hardship, then fidyah alone suffices.
This is the balanced and sound opinion in light of the Qur’an, Hadith, and understanding of the Companions (RA).
