Conditions for Breaking the Fast During Pregnancy
Pregnant women are allowed to break their fast in Ramadan if they meet the following two conditions:
- Fear of Harm:
- If the pregnant woman fears harm to herself, her fetus, or both, such as extreme illness, serious damage, or death, she is permitted to break her fast.
- This fear must be based on one of the following:
- The opinion of a trustworthy and competent doctor.
- Past personal experience.
- The experiences of other women who went through similar conditions.
- Reliable Basis for Fear:
- The fear should not be baseless but supported by a strong likelihood, either through prior experience or expert medical advice.
Islamic Perspective on Breaking the Fast for Pregnant Women
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims, including pregnant women. However, Islamic law provides exceptions when fasting poses harm to the woman or her unborn child. The following principles are derived from Islamic teachings:
- عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ -رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ- قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: “إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَضَعَ عَنِ الْمُسَافِرِ الصَّوْمَ وَشَطْرَ الصَّلَاةِ، وَعَنِ الْحُبْلَى وَالْمُرْضِعِ”.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:”Allah has relieved the traveler of fasting and shortened the prayer, and for pregnant and nursing women.”
(Narrated by Anas ibn Malik, Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 2408) - Scholars have drawn an analogy between pregnant women and travelers or sick individuals, who are allowed to break their fast and make up for missed days later.
Consequences of Breaking the Fast for Pregnant Women
The consequences depend on the reason for breaking the fast:
1. If the Woman Fears for Herself (or Both Herself and the Baby):
- She is permitted to break her fast and must make up the missed days later.
2. If the Woman Fears Only for the Baby:
There are two scholarly opinions:
- First Opinion:
- She must only make up the missed days without feeding the poor.
- Evidence: The above-mentioned Hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik.
- Second Opinion:
- She must make up the missed days and also give a fidya (compensation) by feeding one poor person per missed day.
- Evidence: The verse in the Quran:”And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship]—a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184)
Fidya (Compensation) for Pregnant Women
If a pregnant woman breaks her fast solely due to fear for her baby, she is required to:
- Make up the missed days of fasting.
- Pay fidya by feeding one poor person for each missed fast.
The fidya is measured as one mudd (an ancient Islamic measure, approximately 750g) of food, which equals the average staple food of the country.
For more details about fidya, refer to our guide on [What Is Fidya in Ramadan].
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