The Menstruating Woman and the Woman with Postnatal Bleeding: What Is Required of Them After Ramadan

Question : What is required of the menstruating woman and the woman with postnatal bleeding after Ramadan, and also of the pregnant and nursing woman? What is required of them? This questioner, Umm Ahmad?

Answer : Yes. The menstruating woman and the woman with postnatal bleeding are required to make up the days of fasting they missed after Ramadan. The time for making up the fast is extended, so they may delay it until there remains of the coming Ramadan a number of days equal to what they owe. However, it is better to hasten, for a person does not know what may befall him. He may die, or he may fall ill, or other obstacles may arise. Therefore, hastening to make up the fast is better than delaying it. But out of the mercy of Allah the Exalted, He granted a dispensation to the one who owes a make-up fast to delay it until there remains of the second Ramadan a number of days equal to what he owes. As for the pregnant and nursing woman, they are required to fast during the time of fasting, that is, in Ramadan. If they fear for themselves or for their children, they may break their fast and make up the days they missed from Ramadan. May Allah reward you with good.