Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

ASSALAAMALEYKUM.

Brother my question is if a pregnant does not fast during ramadhan and if she wants to keep her missed fasts after her delivery, then what is the rule of fasting,whether she should fast continiously for 30 days or else she can fast for alternate days??

jazakallah.

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Answer:

Missed fasts

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 185:

185 Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (or witnesses) the month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

If one is genuinely ill, or fears that fasting would aggravate his illness, of if one is pregnant and fears that fasting may effect the health of the mother or the unborn in any way, etc.; one has been given the option by the Lord Most Merciful that the believer may leave the fast/s and make up the missed fasts at a later date/s of their convenience.

There is absolutely no requirement in Shariah that one who was ill or had a genuine reason to miss their obligatory fasts in Ramadan has to make up those missed fasts by fasting continuously on other days, if they do not wish to do so. One may make up those missed fasts in whichever way it is easy and convenient for them. If one wishes to make up the missed fasts by fasting continuously, that is fine; if one wishes to fast alternate days, that too is fine; or if one wishes to fast once a week until their number of missed fasts days are completed, that is fine and acceptable too. One may make up their missed obligatory fasts by fasting on other days in whichever way it is easy and convenient for them.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 4.239 Narrated by Ibrahim Abu Ismail As Saksaki

Abu Burda said, "I heard Abu Musa several times saying that Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced when in good health."

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan