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Ramadan Fasting: Should Pregnant Women Participate or Not?

Ramadan Fasting: Should Pregnant Women Participate or Not?

The issue of pregnant woman fasting is a hot topic this Ramadan season.

Noted news source Vanguard , published a special report on this issue. Here are some major points raised:

First, if the woman is not affected by fasting, and fasting is not too difficult for her and the child does not suffer any difficulty getting the breast milk, then she is obliged to fast. It is not recommended that this kind of person should not fast.

Secondly, if the woman fears for herself or her child; that the fasting may hinder the flow of breast milk, which will make the child to suffer, fasting is not recommended for such mothers.

However, she would have to pay back her fast at the most convenient time, probably after Ramadan and before the next Ramadan.

It was stated by some scholars that if the woman fears for her child, it is mandatory for her not to fast and it may not be pleasing to Allah to endanger the innocent child when you have been granted the leeway to abstain from fast.

Surely, anything that will endanger the child and the mother is not allowed during fasting as the religion does not intend for any hardship as a result of fasting.

The same goes for a pregnant woman as they have been granted freedom not to fast, and are regarded as being like travellers. But they have to make up the fasts later, just like travellers.

The scholars explained 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.

The two are related because when the pregnant woman gives birth, she becomes impure from nifaas and also breastfeeding.

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The point being made here is that when there is no difficulty in the condition of either of them, they will have to fast.

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So what are your own thoughts on the matter?

Photo credit: Getty Images

View Comments (9)
  • Pregnant and nursing mothers should be exempted whether or not they feel up to it

  • You can imagine mtschew. A pregnant and nursing mother shouldn’t fast please and what’s this thing about paying later? Wth?

  • pregnant woman or nursing mother should exempt fast if they feel they can’t make it.and they will pay back later when they are fit .Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory for all Muslims because it represent one of the pillars of Islam.
    Rewards of fast in the month of Ramadan is enormous and its only certified by Almighty Allah and not any of his angel.Allah has also categories some Muslims not to fast during the month for the sake of there health .
    What are the reasons for which one may be excused from fasting in Ramadaan?
    The reasons are :Sickness, travelling,senility and old age,pregnancy and breastfeeding,hunger and thirst.All these categories of people are exempt from fast.

  • My thoughts/opinions won’t change a thing, so I’d rather keep them to myself… lol.. Whatever works best for them biko.

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