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:

Salam Alaykum, May Allah (s.w.a.) bless you and everbody involved in making this website such a huge success. I know I`m not giving you a lot of tme to answer this question, but the urgency of the matter is that Ramadan is round the corner and I am pregnant. Would like to know what the rules are for pregnant women during this holy month in terms of fasting and prayers and other duas. I`m a recent convert and would really be gratefull for getting a reply before the begining of this holy month, Inshallah. Thank you again. Jazak Allah Khair

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Pregnant woman in ramadan

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.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your kind comments of encouragement for our humble efforts in the propagation of the Truth. If our humble and modest efforts have helped even one brother or sister get closer to Allah and His Deen of Truth, then we would consider ourselves indeed fortunate to have been given this opportunity by the Lord Most Merciful to serve in His Cause. We hope, beg, and pray the Merciful Lord accepts our humble and weak efforts, forgives us our shortcomings, and saves you, us, and all the believers from the torment of the Hell Fire. Ameen.

Your Question: Would like to know what the rules are for pregnant women during this holy month in terms of fasting and prayers and other duas.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 183-185:

183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.

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 (at his home) during that 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 pregnant, and fears that her health or her baby’s health might be effected in any way if she keeps her fasts, there is absolutely no sin upon her if she does not fast this Ramadan; but she has to accurately count the number of days she has missed her fasts and make them up at any other time of the year. But if there is no fear that the fasting would effect her or her baby’s health in the least, it would be best if the pregnant believing woman honored the obligatory fasts of Ramadan.

Reported 'Umar ibn Hussain, "I had some physical problem, so I asked the Prophet (saws) about the prayer, and he said, 'Pray standing; if you are not able to stand then sit and pray, if you are not able to (do even that), then pray (while lying) on your side." Related by al-Bukhari.

Although it is preferable that one who is physically able, to stand and offer their prayer, if for any genuine reason (and the later stages of pregnancy are definitely a genuine reason) one is unable to stand in prayer, or fears one might bring harm upon oneself (or the unborn child) if they stand, there is absolutely no harm and perfectly permissible in Islam if one prays in a sitting position (either the floor, or on a chair, or a raised platform, etc.); or if one is even unable to sit and offer their prayers, there is absolutely no harm if they lie down and offer their prayers through gestures….it is expected that their Lord Most Gracious will accept their striving and their worship, and will give them their due rewards Insha Allah.

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

I heard Abu Burda who accompanied Yazid bin Abi Kabsha on a journey. Yazid used to observe fasting on journeys. Abu Burda said to him, "I heard Abu Musa several times saying that Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get a reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home 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