Is It Permissible for a Pregnant Woman to Break Her Fast during Ramadan? – Shaykh Bassem Itani

Is it permissible for a pregnant woman to break her fast during Ramadan, and what is required of her if she does?

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions.

It is permissible for a pregnant woman to break her fast during Ramadan if she fears, based on strong likelihood, for herself or her unborn child. If she breaks her fast, she is only required to make up the missed days later; there is no expiation or fidya (expiatory charity) required. If the next Ramadan arrives and she has not made up the missed days, she should fast Ramadan and then make up her missed days afterward, with no penalty.

This strong likelihood can be established through one of three means:

The appearance of physical signs such as extreme fatigue, facial pallor due to pregnancy, severe exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting indicate a need to break the fast.

Based on past pregnancy experiences, if she has previously experienced similar symptoms that worsened without breaking the fast, she may choose to break her fast.

If a trusted, religiously observant Muslim female doctor advises that fasting would be harmful to her or her fetus, or both, she is permitted to break her fast. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Islamic law compassionately considers the condition of pregnant women, recognizing the challenges they face from the start of pregnancy until childbirth. It allows them the concession to break their fast during Ramadan to alleviate any hardship. Allah (Most High) says:

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship” [Quran, 2:185]

The only requirement is to make up the missed days later, with no expiation or fidya (expiratory charity) necessary. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Allah has relieved the traveler of half of the prayer and the fast, and from the pregnant and nursing woman.” [Abu Dawud]

Thus, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) equated the ruling for pregnant and nursing women to that of travelers, who break their fast and later make it up without any expiation or fidya.

Some may mistakenly believe that any pregnant woman can break her fast. This is incorrect. A pregnant woman who does not suffer from medical conditions and can consume adequate food and fluids during suhur and iftar, meeting her and her baby’s nutritional needs, should fast during Ramadan, as there is no harm to her or her fetus.

May Allah grant success in making the correct decisions.

[Shaykh] Bassem Itani