Ruling on Fasting for a Breastfeeding Woman and How to Make Up Missed Fasts
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
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?
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.
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.
