Ruling on a Woman Who Becomes Pure (Ṭāhirah) Right After Fajr During Ramadan Source:
This article is derived from the book 500 Questions & Answers for Women, a compilation of Fatawa by the Scholars of the Haramain. Translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
If a woman becomes pure (ṭāhirah) from menstruation or nifās immediately after Fajr, is she required to abstain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day? Will that day count as a valid fast, or must she make it up later?
❖ Answer:
If a woman attains purity right after the Fajr time has entered, scholars hold two opinions regarding whether she must abstain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day:
① First Opinion:
She must refrain from eating and drinking for the remainder of the day.✘ However, this does not count as a valid fast, because she was not in a state of purity at the start of the fast.
Therefore, she is obligated to make up (qaḍāʾ) for that day later.
This is the well-known view of Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله.② Second Opinion (More Correct According to the Shaykh):
She is not obligated to abstain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day. Reason:She was not eligible to fast at the beginning of the day, since she was in a state of ḥayḍ (menstruation). Therefore:
- The fast was invalid from the start
- This day is not a time when fasting is legislated for her
- Hence, there is no benefit in refraining from eating or drinking
As we know, a valid fast in Islam is defined as:“To refrain from things that nullify the fast from dawn (Fajr) until sunset, as an act of worship to Allah.”
✔ Since she was not in a state of worship at the beginning, this day does not qualify as a fast.
Nevertheless, according to both opinions, she is required to make up (qaḍāʾ) for that day later.
(Fatwa by: Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله)| Issue | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Becomes pure just after Fajr | Cannot fast that day |
| Must refrain from food (First opinion) | Yes (but no fast is counted) |
| Can eat and drink (Second opinion – stronger view) | Permissible |
| Must make up the fast later | Obligatory in both views |
