As-salamu Alaikum,
If a woman misses several years of fasting the month of Ramdan due to
pregnancy and breastfeeding is she obligated to make these up by fasting each day? Is
there another option that she may take such as feeding the poor because it would be very
difficult for her to make up so many days? Some women are pregnant or breastfeeding for
many years in a row without an opportunity to make them up. Also, does she need to make
these up before she can do voluntary fasting such as during the month of Shawwal? If this
is the case, then it may be difficult for her to gain the rewards of fasting during this
month since she would need to make up the missed days first ? Is the opportunity to make
up days lost after a certain time period ? For example, if the woman had not made them up
before the next Ramadan is the opportunity lost ?
Jazak Allah Khair.
Praise be to Allaah.
A Muslim woman who misses any fasts in Ramadaan because of being pregnant
or breastfeeding must make them up after she no longer has that excuse, just like the sick
person of whom Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… but if any of
you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other
days…” [al-Baqarah 2:184]
A woman may space out these days (i.e., she does not have to fast them all
at once, consecutively), as this is easier for her. (See also “Seventy
Questions About Fasting “,
, under the heading Books on this
web-page).
It is better to make up missed days before the next Ramadaan comes, but if
the excuse is still present, she may delay making them up until she is able to do so. She
should not resort to feeding poor people (instead of fasting) unless she is totally unable
to fast. And Allaah knows best.
