All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, his companions, and those who follow his guidance until the Last Day.
Q1: A woman gave birth in Ramadan and missed fasting. She did not make up the fasts because she feared harm for her breastfeeding child, then became pregnant again and delivered in the next Ramadan. Is it permissible for her to distribute money instead of fasting?
Answer: Pregnant and breastfeeding women are permitted to break their fast if they fear harm to themselves or their child. This concession falls under the general principle stated by Allah:
“And whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are recognized by scholars as valid temporary excuses. However, the missed fasts remain a debt that must be made up once the excuse enends.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله stated in Fataawaa Islamiyah that it is obligatory upon such a woman to make up the missed fasts, even if it is after the following Ramadan, so long as she had a valid excuse for delaying.
Therefore, distributing money (fidya) instead of fasting is not sufficient if she is physically capable of fasting later. Fidya is only allowed for those permanently unable to fast.
Q2: What if she continues to have pregnancies and breastfeeding back-to-back, making it difficult to fast?
Answer: If pregnancies and breastfeeding continue in succession, she should carefully record the missed days. She is not sinful for delaying the makeup fasts if the excuse remains.
Allah says:
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
When she becomes physically able, even if after several years, she must make up those days gradually. Scholars advise that she may fast during shorter winter days or fast intermittently (such as every other day) if that is easier.
If, however, medical evidence proves that fasting will permanently harm her and she has no realistic ability to make up the fasts, then feeding one poor person per missed day becomes the alternative.
Q3: Why is fidya not enough for someone who can fast later?
Answer: Fasting Ramadan is a personal obligation (farḍ ʿayn) upon every able Muslim. Allah says:
“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
Fidya is a substitute only when the original obligation cannot be fulfilled at all. It is not a replacement for someone who merely delays due to a temporary excuse. Since pregnancy and breastfeeding are temporary conditions, the obligation remains until fulfilled.
The majority of scholars maintain that if a person has the ability to fast later, they must do so and cannot replace it with money.
Q4: What is the wisdom behind this ruling?
Answer: Islam combines mercy with accountability. It does not burden a mother during a vulnerable stage of pregnancy or breastfeeding. At the same time, it preserves the sanctity and seriousness of Ramadan fasting.
The ruling ensures:
- Protection of the mother and child,
- Fulfillment of religious duty,
- Balance between compassion and responsibility.
Thus, Islam neither imposes hardship nor allows neglect of obligations.
In conclusion, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman who misses fasting must make up the missed days when she is able. Delaying due to continuous pregnancy or nursing carries no sin. However, paying money instead of fasting is only permissible if she becomes permanently unable to fast.
And Allah knows best.