FASTING OF PREGNANT WOMEN AND BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS
ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA
http://variousislamicdawadocuments.blogspot.com
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Saturday 26 Ramadan 1442 AH and 8 May 2021 CE
Reminder Day 26
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum WA-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.
Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger.
Help us Answer the Ummah! Every second, everywhere someone needs an answer. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “A person who leads others to doing what is good will earn the same reward as those who do it.” (Muslim, 1893).
“Do not lose hope, nor be sad. You will surely be victorious if you are true in Faith.” And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].” [Holy Quran Chapter Al Imran Ayah 139]
“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.”
[Holy Quran Chapter Imran Ayah 160]
Preamble
Is it safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms to fast during Ramadan?
Can a breastfeeding mother do fasting?
Researchers concluded that lactating women who normally fast during Ramadan should take the allowance to not fast, as they are technically exempt from the practice. Traditional advice surrounding nutrition in breastfeeding explains that women need an additional 330 to 600 calories a day to support milk production.
Is it safe to fast while pregnant?
Always speak to your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet and exercise habits. Intermittent fasting is generally not recommended to women during pregnancy.
Health or Scientific Reasoning
The Islamic month of Ramadan involves fasting every day from sunrise to sunset for one month. But is this something you should attempt if you're pregnant or breastfeeding?
Reference to doctors input [[https://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/is-it-safe-for-pregnant-women-and-breastfeeding-moms-to-fast-during-ramadan/] we reproduce few concepts to carry along the scientific methods onto Islamic ruling.
But not every Muslim woman chooses to fast if Ramadan falls while she is pregnant—this is a pretty solid excuse, from both a religious perspective and a health point-of-view.
"The other patients who [need to be careful] are those who have placenta previa, where the placenta is growing across the opening of the uterus and cervix area," said Dr. Chudnoff. "The biggest issue is that when women get dehydrated, the uterus can become irritable and start contracting. That doesn't necessarily mean the patient will go into preterm labor, but in patients who are at risk for placental problems, we try as much as possible to keep the uterus as calm as possible. Those are circumstances where more caution needs to be exerted."
Women carrying multiples—whose pregnancies are automatically classified as high-risk—are "absolutely" at increased risk of complications as well, according to Dr. Chudnoff.
As for caloric needs, Dr. Chudnoff is not concerned. According to him, pregnant patients should simply redistribute those calories to ensure they're taking in as many nutrients as they normally would before and after their fasts.
While Van Ness didn't find it tough to fast through pregnancy, the postpartum period may present some challenges for breastfeeding moms.
"I think [fasting while breastfeeding] is harder than fasting while pregnant," Van Ness admitted. Since breastfeeding can make a mother hungrier and thirstier than normal, going all day without food or drink (yes, even water) can certainly be more challenging and concerns about dwindling milk supply are valid.
According to Dr. Chudnoff, moms should speak to their children's pediatricians before choosing to fast while nursing, and they may also want to consider supplementing with formula while doing so. Again, dehydration is a possibility, and nursing moms should be very vigilant about taking in enough water before and after their fasts.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to fast during Ramadan is a personal choice—the condition of your pregnancy, your symptoms, your doctor's opinions, and your own comfort are all worth considering. Provided your doctor is fine with it, you can do what Van Ness did: Attempt a day of fasting while giving yourself permission to break the fast and hold off for the rest of the month if you're simply not feeling up to it. Or, you can simply fast for a few days during Ramadan instead of throughout the month, which Dr. Chudnoff said may decrease your risks.
But when it comes right down to it, you have to understand the implications.
"You're going to very rarely find a doctor who is going to say it's OK to fast. There's always a big question mark. We don't know, there may be an underlying issue that's not diagnosed that may come to a head during the course of fasting," said Dr. Chudnoff. "At the same time, very few doctors can [give you] a specific reason why you can't fast. It's not [about whether you'll] get permission. People will do what they want to do. The most I can do is explain the risks. It's a free world. "
The safety of fasting during pregnancy is not a black-and-white issue. "Assuming it's an otherwise normal pregnancy with no other issues, the only thing [pregnant women should worry about is] maintaining adequate hydration. [They should] make sure [they're getting lots of fluids] before and after the fast–early in the morning if they're able to wake up [before sunrise] and in the evening when they're breaking the fast," OBGYN Scott Chudnoff, MD, told Parents.com.
Islamic Ruling Breastfeeding And Pregnancy During Month Of Ramadan?.
With regard to breastfeeding mothers – and also pregnant women – two scenarios may apply:
-1- If the woman is not affected by fasting, and fasting is not too difficult for her, and she does not fear for her child, then she is obliged to fast, and it is not permissible for her not to fast.
-2- If the woman fears for herself or her child because of fasting, and fasting is difficult for her, then she is allowed not to fast, but she has to make up the days that she does not fast.
In this situation it is better for her not to fast, and it is Makrooh for her to fast. Some of the scholars stated that if she fears for her child, it is obligatory for her not to fast and it is Haraam for her to fast.
Al-Mirdaawi said in al-Insaaf (7/382):
It is Makrooh for her to fast in this case… Ibn ‘Aqeel said: If a pregnant woman or a breastfeeding mother fears for her pregnancy or her child, then it is not permissible for her to fast in this case, but if she does not fear for her child then it is not permissible for her not to fast.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked in Fataawa al-Siyaam (p. 161):
If a pregnant woman or breastfeeding mother does not fast with no excuse, and she is strong and in good health, and is not affected by fasting, what is the ruling on that?
He replied:
It is not permissible for a pregnant woman or breastfeeding woman not to fast during the day in Ramadaan unless they have an excuse. If they do not fast because they have an excuse, then they have to make up the missed fasts, because Allaah says concerning one who is sick (interpretation of the meaning):
“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days”[Quran al-Baqarah 2:185]
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers come under the same heading as those who are sick. If their excuse is that they fear for the child, then as well as making up the missed fasts, according to some scholars they also have to feed one poor person for each day missed, giving wheat, rice, dates or any other staple food. Some of the scholars said that all they have to do is make up the missed fasts, no matter what the situation, because there is no evidence in the Qur’aan or Sunnah for giving food in this case, and the basic principle is that there is no obligation unless proof of that is established. This is the view of Abu Haneefah (may Allaah have mercy on him) and it is a strong view.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was also asked in Fataawa al-Siyaam (p. 162) about a pregnant women who fears for herself or her child, and does not fast – what is the ruling?
He replied by saying:
Our answer to this is that one of two scenarios must apply in the case of a pregnant woman.
The first is if she is healthy and strong, and does not find fasting difficult, and it does not affect her foetus. In this case the woman is obliged to fast, because she has no excuse not to do so.
The second is where the pregnant woman is not able to fast, either because the pregnancy is advanced or because she is physically weak, or for some other reason. In this case she should not fast, especially if her foetus is likely to be harmed, in which case it may be obligatory for her not to fast. If she does not fast, then like others who do not fast for a valid reason, she has to make up the days when that excuse no longer applies. When she gives birth, she has to make up those fasts after she becomes pure from nifaas. But sometimes the excuse of pregnancy may be lifted but then immediately followed by another excuse, namely breastfeeding. The breastfeeding mother may need food and drink, especially during the long summer days when it is very hot. So she may need not to fast so that she can nourish her child with her milk. In this case we also say to her: Do not fast, and when this excuse no longer applies, then you should make up the fasts that you have missed.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (15/224):
With regard to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, it is proven in the hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik al-Ka’bi, narrated by Ahmad and the authors of al-Sunan with a saheeh isnaad, that the Prophet (ﷺ) granted them a dispensation allowing them not to fast, and he regarded them as being like travelers. From this it is known that they may not fast but they have to make up the fasts later, just like travelers. The scholars stated that they are only allowed not to fast if fasting is too difficult for them, as in the case of one who is sick, or if they fear for their children. And Allaah knows best.
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (10/226):
The pregnant woman is obliged to fast during her pregnancy, unless she fears that fasting may affect her or her foetus, in which case she is allowed not to fast, and she should make up the fasts after she gives birth and becomes pure from nifaas.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allaah has waived the fast for pregnant and breastfeeding women.” Does that mean that fasting is not obligatory for them whether it entails hardship or not?
This hadeeth was narrated by Abu Dawood, 2408; al-Tirmidhi, 715; al-Nasaa’i, 2315; and Ibn Maajah, 1667. It says that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allaah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).” It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
This hadeeth is general in meaning and applies to every pregnant woman, but the scholars limited it to cases of hardship, based on the reason for which this ruling – namely pregnant women not fasting – was prescribed.
This is similar to the reference to the sick in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days”[Quran al-Baqarah 2:185]
This applies to everyone who is sick, no matter how mild his illness. Some of the salaf, such as ‘Ata’, applied it in general terms, and this was the view favoured by al-Bukhaari. But the scholars, including the four Imams, rejected that general application and restricted it to cases of sickness where fasting causes hardship, based on the reason for which the ruling of not fasting was prescribed.
There are texts narrated from the scholars which state this restriction; indeed it was narrated that there was unanimous agreement among the scholars on this point, as we shall see below.
1 – Narrations from the salaf
Abu Dawood (2318) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said, concerning the verse “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)” [Quran al-Baqarah 2:184]: This is a concession granted to old men and old women who are able to fast, allowing them to break the fast and to feed one poor person each day instead of fasting. (And this concession is also granted to) pregnant and breastfeeding women, if they fear (harm). Al-Nawawi said: Its isnaad is hasan.
So here Ibn ‘Abbaas restricted the concession granted to pregnant and breastfeeding women to cases where they feared harm, whether the harm was to themselves or to their children.
Al-Shaafa’i narrated in al-Umm: Maalik told us, narrating from Naafi’, that Ibn ‘Umar was asked about a pregnant woman, if she fears for her child. He said: She should not fast, and she should feed one poor person for each day, giving a mudd of wheat.
Imam al-Bukhaari said:
Chapter on the words, “Exempt days”… al-Hasan and Ibraaheem said concerning breastfeeding or pregnant women: If they fear for themselves or their children, they should break the fast then make it up. End quote.
This restriction of the ruling was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn ‘Umar, al-Hasan and al-Nakha’i among the salaf.
2 – The madhhabs of the four imams.
They were also agreed upon this restriction of the ruling.
(i) The Hanafi Madhhab
Al-Jassaas said in Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, 1/244, after quoting the words of the Prophet (ﷺ): “Allaah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).”:
It is known that this concession – granted to pregnant and breastfeeding women – is limited to cases where they fear for themselves or for their children.
He also said (1/252):
Either pregnant and breastfeeding women will themselves be harmed by fasting or their children will be harmed. In either case, not fasting is better for them and fasting is not allowed in their case. If fasting will not harm them or their children, then they have to fast and it is not permissible for them to break the fast.
It says in al-Bahr al-Raa’iq (2/308):
If pregnant and breastfeeding women fear for themselves or their children, they may are allowed to break the fast in order to ward off any hardship.
i.e., they may break the fast so as to ward off harm… but this is restricted to cases of fear, i.e., when they think that is most likely to happen… because if they do not fear harm there is no concession granted to them.
(ii)The Maaliki Madhhab
It says in Sharh Mukhtasar Khaleel (2/262):
If a pregnant woman fears that her child may die, or be severely harmed, then she must break her fast. If she fears that sickness may happen, it is permissible for her to break her fast according to the correct view. And it was said that she must break her fast if she fears sickness. The same applies to the breastfeeding woman, if she fears that her child may die or be severely harmed, she must break her fast, and if she fears sickness, it is permissible for her to break her fast. This is subject to the condition that her child will not accept the breast of any other woman, otherwise she is obliged to fast,
(iii)The Shaafa’i Madhhab
Imam al-Shaafa’i said in al-Umm:
If a pregnant woman fears for her child, she should break her fast. The same applies if a breastfeeding woman fears that her milk supply will be adversely affected. But if that is bearable then she should not break her fast. The fast may reduce the breast milk but it may be a bearable reduction, but if it is extreme, then she should break her fast.
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (6/274):
Our companions said: If pregnant and breastfeeding women fear that fasting may harm them, they should break the fast and make it up later on, and they do not have to offer any fidyah, as in the case of one who is sick. There is no difference of opinion on any of that. If they fear for themselves and their children, the same applies and there is no difference of opinion. This was stated by al-Daarimi, al-Sarkhasi and others. If they fear for their children but not for themselves, they should break the fast and make it up later on, and there is no difference of opinion on that…
(iv) The Hanbali Madhhab
Ibn Muflih said in al-Furoo’ (3/35):
It is makrooh for pregnant and breastfeeding women to fast if there is the fear that they or their children may be harmed.
Ibn ‘Aqeel said that if a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears for the pregnancy or the nursing infant, it is not permissible to fast, and she must offer the fidyah. If there is no such fear then it is not permissible for her not to fast.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (25/218):
If a pregnant woman fears for her foetus, she may break the fast…
(v)The Zaahiri Madhhab
Ibn Hazm said in al-Muhalla (4/411):
The fast is addressed to pregnant and breastfeeding woman and old men. The Ramadaan fast is obligatory for all of them, but if a breastfeeding woman fears that she may have too little milk for her child and there is no one else to feed the child, or if he will not take the breast of any other woman, or if a pregnant woman fears for her foetus, or if an old man is unable to fast because of his age, then they may break the fast… end quote.
It says in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (28/55):
The fuqaha’ are agreed that pregnant and breastfeeding women may break the fast in Ramadaan, so long as they fear sickness or an increase in sickness for themselves or their children, or they fear harm or death. In the case of a pregnant woman, the foetus is regarded as part of her body, so the fear for him is like the fear of damage to any of her limbs or physical faculties.
Al-Shawkaani said in Nayl al-Awtaar (4/273), commenting on the hadeeth which says that pregnant and breastfeeding women are allowed not to fast:
This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible for pregnant and breastfeeding women not to fast. This was the view of the fuqaha’, if a breastfeeding woman fears for her nursing infant or if a pregnant woman fears for the unborn child. They said: They may definitely break the fast. End quote.
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (10/226):
With regard to the pregnant woman, she must fast whilst pregnant, unless she fears that fasting may harm her or her unborn child, in which case she is granted a concession allowing her not to fast, and she should make up the fasts after she delivers and her nifaas has ended. End quote.
These texts from the scholars indicate that it is not permissible for pregnant and breastfeeding women to break the fast so long as fasting is not difficult for them.
And Allaah knows best.
Sources:
Islam Q&A 50005
https://www.parents.com/parents-magazine/is-it-safe-for-pregnant-women-and-breastfeeding-moms-to-fast-during-ramadan/
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/50005/ruling-on-fasting-for-pregnant-women-and-breastfeeding-mothers
Islam Q&A, 66438
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