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:

I refer to your reply to the subject question. You have stated that the nursing mother can observe Ramadan fasts if her or her child's health is not affected. Does it mean that during the fast she should not breast feed the child? If she does so her fast will not be valid? Kindly elucidate on the aforesaid points. Allah Hafiz.

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Answer:

Can a nursing mother Breastfeed her child during the month of Ramadan?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The fast of a woman is not affected by her breastfeeding or nursing the baby. If the woman observes all the other conditions of the fast, her fast will be valid.

The nursing mother has a choice not to fast, and make up her fasts later, if she fears that by fasting, her health or the health of the infant might be affected.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan