Fasting while menstruating or with post-natal bleeding
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 15196 )
Q: I am an elderly, illiterate woman. In the past, before I knew the scholars and media channels like the radio – if my
menstrual period came during a day of Ramadan, I would continue my fast and not make it up, and likewise if I was experiencing post-natal bleeding; because I believed that fasting is dropped for me just like prayer. I continued in this state for many years in both cases. Now I have learned that I must fast the days I broke, but unfortunately I am unable to do so for several reasons: First: I do not know the number of these days. Second: because of my old age and my physical incapacity. I and many others are in this situation due to our ignorance. We ask Allah to overlook us with His mercy.
A: First: It is obligatory for you to make up the fasting for all the days during which menstruation and post-natal bleeding occurred; because fasting during menstruation and post-natal bleeding is not valid. Second: You must estimate the number of days you did not fast. Third: You are not required to make up the fasts consecutively; rather, you must fast according to your ability. Fourth: You must feed one poor person for each day of menstruation and post-natal bleeding due to your delay in making up the fasts, and this feeding is sufficient in one lump sum, even if given to a single poor person. Fifth: If you are poor and unable to feed, then nothing is required of you, and making up the fasts is sufficient.
Sixth: If you are unable to make up the fasts and unable to fast Ramadan due to your old age, or due to an illness that is not expected to end, and you are able to feed – then feeding is sufficient for you, half a sa' of the staple food of the country for each day, which is approximately (one and a half kilograms) of dates, rice, or other staple food of the country. If you are unable to feed and unable to fast, it is dropped from you; because of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16] , and His saying the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:286] . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I am an elderly, illiterate woman. In the past, before I knew the scholars and media channels like the radio – if my
menstrual period came during a day of Ramadan, I would continue my fast and not make it up, and likewise if I was experiencing post-natal bleeding; because I believed that fasting is dropped for me just like prayer. I continued in this state for many years in both cases. Now I have learned that I must fast the days I broke, but unfortunately I am unable to do so for several reasons: First: I do not know the number of these days. Second: because of my old age and my physical incapacity. I and many others are in this situation due to our ignorance. We ask Allah to overlook us with His mercy.
A: First: It is obligatory for you to make up the fasting for all the days during which menstruation and post-natal bleeding occurred; because fasting during menstruation and post-natal bleeding is not valid. Second: You must estimate the number of days you did not fast. Third: You are not required to make up the fasts consecutively; rather, you must fast according to your ability. Fourth: You must feed one poor person for each day of menstruation and post-natal bleeding due to your delay in making up the fasts, and this feeding is sufficient in one lump sum, even if given to a single poor person. Fifth: If you are poor and unable to feed, then nothing is required of you, and making up the fasts is sufficient.
Sixth: If you are unable to make up the fasts and unable to fast Ramadan due to your old age, or due to an illness that is not expected to end, and you are able to feed – then feeding is sufficient for you, half a sa' of the staple food of the country for each day, which is approximately (one and a half kilograms) of dates, rice, or other staple food of the country. If you are unable to feed and unable to fast, it is dropped from you; because of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAllah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلا وُسْعَهَا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.