Not making up for the missed days of fast during the postpartum period out of ignorance

Question: A woman missed out the fast of Ramadaan in two yearsdue to her coincidently being in the postpartum period. This was fifteen years ago, and she did not know that she must make up for them. What should she do now? Kindly, take into consideration that she cannot fast due to an illness.

Answer: If her present illness is curable, then as soon as she recovers from it, she should make up for these two months in which she had broken her fast in their order. Along with this, she must pay Kaffaarah (expiation) for her delay in making up for the fast; i.e., she should feed a needy person for each day. If her illness is incurable, she should feed a needy person for each day on which she had broken the fast in replacement of the fast. She should also offer a Kaffaarah for each day of the two months, due to her delay in making up for the fast… read more here.

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Undergoing abortion operation and observing Sawm while bleeding

Question: I was three months pregnant and I had an abortion ten days before Ramadaan. When Ramadaan started, I was still bleeding as a result of the abortion, but I observed Sawm (Fast) on the assumption that the blood was only Istihaadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post-partum period). This is because the third month of pregnancy had not finished. What is the ruling on that?

Answer: This woman experienced non-menstrual bleeding, and thus it is inconsiderable. She did well when she continued fasting and praying; and if the case is exactly as you mentioned, her fast and Salaah before the miscarriage are valid and she does not have to compensate. After the miscarriage, however, the rulings vary according to the time in which the miscarriage took place. They are classified according to the four stages of pregnancy as follows… read more here.

A newly-delivered woman’s obligation to make up for missed days of fast and not to feed the needy by Ijmaa`

Question: We read in some Islamic books that when a newly delivered, breastfeeding, or pregnant woman breaks her fast in Ramadaan, she must make up for the days on which she breaks her fast. However, I read in the book entitled, Tuhfah Al-`Aroos that a woman who has just delivered, is breastfeeding, or pregnant does not have to make up for her missed days of fast, and she should only offer Fidyah (ransom).

This view is reinforced by a Hadeeth that reads: When the pregnant and breastfeeding women break their fast, they have to offer Fidyah and do not have to make up for the days in which they broke fast . (Reported by Ibn `Umar and Ibn `Abbaas) The author of Tuhfah Al-`Aroos is Mahmood Mahdee Al-Istanbullee, and the above quote is mentioned in page 302.

Answer: This woman experienced non-menstrual bleeding, and thus it is inconsiderable. She did well when she continued fasting and praying; and if the case is exactly as you mentioned, her fast and Salaah before the miscarriage are valid and she does not have to compensate. After the miscarriage, however, the rulings vary according to the time in which the miscarriage took place. They are classified according to the four stages of pregnancy as follows… read more here.

Fasting for fifteen days, then discovering bleeding which is not of the monthly period

Question: My wife was two months pregnant when Ramadaan started, and she fasted for fifteen days, then she had non-menstrual bleeding for seven days, but she continued to fast and pray. Afterwards, she had miscarriage and did not fast for the rest of the month, Is her fasting before the miscarriage valid despite the bleeding? Or, does she have to compensate for it? Please inform us with the right legal opinion, may Allaah reward you!

Answer: This woman experienced non-menstrual bleeding, and thus it is inconsiderable. She did well when she continued fasting and praying; and if the case is exactly as you mentioned, her fast and Salaah before the miscarriage are valid and she does not have to compensate. After the miscarriage, however, the rulings vary according to the time in which the miscarriage took place. They are classified according to the four stages of pregnancy as follows… read more here.

A newly-delivered woman making up for the missed days of fast

Question: My wife broke her fast in some days during Ramadan due to her childbirth. I keep advising her to make up for these days, and she usually expresses her willingness to do so. However, she does not fulfil her promise; she would observe the fast for a couple of days and then abandon it. What is the ruling on this?

Answer: If the case is as you have mentioned, your wife is obligated to make up for the days on which she broke her fast in Ramadaan due to her delivery. It is not permissible for her to delay making up for them until the next Ramadaan. If she does so with no excuse, she would be sinful and must repent to Allaah. Accordingly, she should start making up for them immediately and offer Kaffaarah (expiation) to compensate for her negligence, i.e., she should feed a needy person about one and half a kilo of rice or any other staple food of the country for each day… read more here.

Making up for the missed days of fast by a newly-delivered, a pregnant, or a breastfeeding woman

Question: My paternal grandmother asked me to send this question to you, in which she says:

Forty years ago, I gave birth to a baby girl during the blessed month of Ramadaan, and I have not made up for the days on which I broke my fast until now, due to my being preoccupied with worldly affairs and my ignorance of religious matters. When I came to know about religious matters and obligations, I realized my shortcoming for not making up for the days on which I broke my fast. Now I am about eighty years old and I enjoy good health.

My question is: Is it permissible for me to make up for the fast of that month after such long period or not? If yes, should I only fast or combine the fast with feeding? And in case I should do both, should the feeding be at the end of every day I fast or to be done collectively at the end of the month?

Answer: Your grandmother should make up for the days on which she broke her fast during Ramadaan, and seek Forgiveness of Allaah (Exalted be He). She should also feed a poor person in compensation for every day she misses fasting, by giving out about half Saa` (1 Saa` = 3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food of the country, due to her negligence of making up for the fast. It is permissible for her to feed the needy before or after fasting, jointly or separately, even if it is all given to one poor person… read more here.

A newly-delivered, a pregnant, or a breastfeeding woman making up for the missed days of fast

Question: My wife gave birth to a baby during the last ten days of Ramadaan, and so she broke her fast on some of these days. But she did not make up for these days, out of negligence and ignorance, until the next Ramadaan. Kindly guide us, what should she do now? May Allaah reward you with the best!

Answer: Your wife should make up for the days on which she broke her fast in Ramadaan, and should also pay Kaffaarah (expiation) for her delay in making up for the fast. She must pay half a Saa` (1 Saa` = 3 kg. Approx) of wheat, date, rice, or similar staple food of the country… read more here.

Delaying making up for the missed days of Sawm due to being in post-partum period

Question: I am a woman who believes in Allaah (Glorified and Exalted be He), and all praise is due to Allaah for this. I observe Sawm (Fast) in Ramadaan, and I may not fast some days because of an Islaamically lawful excuse that Allaah (Exalted be He) permits for women, and I make up for these days after Ramadaan. But one year, Ramadaan coincided with my being in a post-partum period, and I intended to make up for the days that I missed after that period ended; that is, when the time of ritual purification comes; but I could not fast because I was breastfeeding my baby. Also, I live in a very hot region, and there are many domestic duties that I have to do. As for breastfeeding, however, there are many alternatives which help me feed the baby.

The Second Issue: After four months from the end of the post-partum period, Allaah (Exalted be He) granted me a baby as I became pregnant, so my fear of observing Sawm increased. Do I have to feed the poor or should I compensate in this case? And, if I have to feed the poor, please inform me how this should be done?

Answer: This woman must make up for the days that she did not observe Sawm in Ramadaan during her post-partum period, and she also has to feed one Miskeen (needy) for delaying the compensation till the following Ramadaan. The amount that should be given to each Miskeen is one and a half kilos of rice or wheat, and so on, of the country’s staple food. She must also seek Allaah’s Forgiveness for her excessive delaying of Sawm, and there is nothing wrong with bringing out the food all at once before, after, or during compensation… read more here.

A woman did not make up for the days of Ramadaan she failed to fast due to her being in her post-partum period

Question: Twenty-seven years ago, my mother gave birth to a baby in Ramadaan and she could not fast the days of this month. When she wanted to make up for the days she had missed, my father told her that she is not obligated to do so. However, we heard that she must make up for the missed days of fasting, and now we would like to know your opinion on what should my mother and my father do in this case?

Answer: Your mother must make up for the days of fasting she had missed due to her childbirth. Besides, she also must feed a needy person for everyday she missed as Kaffaarah (expiation) for delaying her making up for the fasting. Your father should seek Allaah’s Forgiveness for what he mistakenly said to her without having sound knowledge, and he should not repeat such an action. And Allaah knows best… read more here.

A mother delaying making up for missed days of Sawm due to breastfeeding

Question: Last Ramadaan, my mother was in her postpartum period, and after Ramadaan she was breastfeeding. She wanted to make up for the missed Sawm (Fast), but she feared for her baby. She could not offer Kaffaarah (expiation), until this Ramadaan came. Please guide us. What should she do concerning the last Ramadaan, bearing in mind that she is fasting this Ramadaan. Is it permissible for her sons to fast on her behalf or should she offer Kaffaarah, and if so, how? May Allaah reward you with the best.

Answer: Your mother has to make up for the days on which she broke her Sawm during the past Ramadaan, even if this is after the next Ramadaan. There is no Kaffaarah due on her, because she did not overlook making up her Sawm, and she just delayed this due to breastfeeding her baby… read more here.

A pregnant woman fasting in spite of her bleeding

Question: A woman’s fetus remained in her uterus for six months. On the eighth day of the blessed month of Ramadaan, she bled but the blood was no more than the amount of a cup of tea discharged from her. This bleeding continued day after day. On the twenty-eighth day of Ramadaan, the fetus was taken out from her uterus (by a medical operation).

The question is: Should this woman make up for the days on which bleeding occurred? Bear in mind that she fasted the days before the miscarriage and did not break her fast till the fetus was taken from her uterus. Please advise us, may Allaah safeguard you.

Answer: The woman in question does not have to make up for fast. This is because the bleeding was not menstruation or postpartum blood. However, if the bleeding occurred one, two, or three days before the miscarriage, and there were signs of labor, then it is considered postpartum blood and fast is invalid in such case… read more here.

Does the discharge of a drop of blood while taking pills affect the validity of Sawm and `Umrah?

Question: Because I was planning to go to Makkah, I took contraceptive pills in order to delay the coming of my regular menstrual period. Since my period was due on 22/9/1420 A.H., I took the pills two weeks before that date. On 20/9/1420 A.H, I noticed a small brownish blood drop, which thence continued to fall once every day until I stopped taking the pills on the second day of `Eed-ul-Fitr (the Feast of Breaking the Fast), yet I continued to observe Sawm (Fast) during Ramadaan. Two days later, I had my actual menstrual period.

My question is: Is my observance of Sawm during Ramadaan as mentioned above valid? I also fasted six days after `Eed-ul-Fitr; can these days compensate for the missed days of Sawm in Ramadaan? If those intermittent blood drops I used to notice was not menstrual, is my Sawm in the six days valid for the recommended Sawm during the month of Shawwal?

Note: I was ritually pure when embarking on with the intention of making `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) at the Meeqaat (one of the specified destinations for entering into the ritual state for making Hajj or `Umrah). In fact, I noticed the brownish blood drop referred to in my question only after finishing all the rites of `Umrah. Is my `Umrah valid in this case, or was it invalidated because of such discharge? Give me a Fatwaa, may Allaah reward you with the best!

Answer: If the case is as you have mentioned, your observance of Sawm during Ramadaan is valid and this discharge does not affect the validity of your acts of worship such as Sawm, Salaah (Prayer), and the like. Accordingly, you do not have to make up for the days of Ramadaan… read more here.

Fasting in case of menstrual disorder

Question: All praise be to Allaah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets. To proceed:

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ has viewed the Fatwa that His Eminence, the Grand Muftee, has received from His Eminence the Chairman of Faifa Organization Center: Muhammad ibn `Alee Al-Faifee, under no. 97, dated 16/6/1419 A.H., that was transferred to the Committee from the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars, under no. 3825, dated 21/6/1419 A.H. His Eminence required the consideration of the Fatwa request that was presented to him by a questioner, to which was attached his letter that reads as follows: To the respected Chairman of Faifa Organization Center, Al-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you). I present this letter to you so as to tell you that I have a daughter who is 18 years old, and she has a psychological disease. She did not fast 12 days in Ramadaan, 1418 A.H., and whenever she fasted, she had her menstrual period again. Please send my question to the responsible authorities. May Allaah Grant you success. Al-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh.

Answer: After studying the Fatwaa request, the Committee replied that this woman must start compensating for the days that she missed last Ramadaan, by assuming that the duration of her menstruation is the same as the duration that she was used to before the disturbance of her menstruation; so she must spend this period without fasting or offering Salaah (Prayer), and without having sexual intercourse with her husband, if she is married… read more here.

Does bleeding outside the monthly period prevent from observing Sawm?

Question: My wife observed Sawm (Fast) during the recommended six days in Shawwaal. During these days, she noticed some vaginal bleeding, but not menstrual blood. This blood she notices resulted from taking contraceptive pills. Is her Sawm permissible in this case? Please advise us on this question.

Answer: If your wife experienced vaginal bleeding on days outside her regular menstrual period, which does not have the characteristics of menstrual blood, then most probably it was irregular bleeding that is caused by taking the contraceptive pills. This blood falls under the same ruling as Istihaadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post-partum period)… read more here.

Observing Sawm while discharging Kudrah without blood due to taking pills

Question: In Ramadaan of the years 1416 and 1417 A.H., I took pills to stop the menstrual period. But I noticed that after approximately ten days, there were Kudrah (dusky-colored vaginal discharge during or after menstruation) and Sufrah (yellow vaginal discharge during or after menstruation) fluids still being emitted. The discharge was sometimes light brown, sometimes yellow, and sometimes tended to be black in color. But I fasted because the menstrual bleeding did not occur until the night of `Eed Al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast). Was my Sawm (Fast) in these days valid? If it was not valid, what should I do, bearing in mind that I did not count the number of days of Sawm I might have missed? I strove hard to count them but I failed. Should I offer Kaffaarah (expiation) instead? Please give me a Fatwaa on this question. May Allaah reward you and benefit others through your knowledge.

Answer: If Kudrah and Sufrah were emitted on days outside those of your menstrual period, then these secretions are not of your menstruation, and a woman in this situation may normally offer Prayer and observe Sawm… read more here.

A nursing mother observing Sawm

Question: I have a one-month old baby girl. Ramadaan came and I still breastfeed her. Is it permissible for me to offer Sawm (Fast) or should I break it?

Answer: If the breastfeeding woman fears any harm for herself if she breast-feeds her baby in Ramadaan, or fears any harm for her baby if she fasts and does not breastfeed her, then it is permissible for her to break her Sawm and she only has to make up for the days she has missed… read more here.

The continuation of blood after Tahaarah due to taking contraceptive pills

Question: I use contraceptive pills especially in Ramadaan in order to maintain the state of Tahaarah (ritual purity) during Ramadaan. Having taken them only in the middle of the month of Sha`baan, my menstrual period started at the beginning of Ramadaan and lasted for six days after which I performed post-menstruation Ghusl (full ritual bath) so that I can resume the state of Tahaarah and observe Sawm (Fast) for the remainder of Ramadaan. To my surprise, two days later I noticed some blood drops and secretions that are different in color and texture form menstrual blood. Please, be informed that I have an intrauterine device and that I kept observing Sawm even during the days when the blood drops were seen. Should I make up for these days?

Answer: If the matter is as you have mentioned, your Sawm and Salaah (Prayer) are valid. As for the blood drops and secretions you noticed after your menstruation is over, these are not of your menstruation blood. However, under such a condition, you should perform Wudoo’ (ablution) for each Salaah as the case with Istihaadah (abnormal vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual or post-partum period) and urinary incontinence… read more here.

If a menstruating woman becomes pure before night, should she abstain from all that breaks fast?

Question: Should a woman observe fast and abstain from all that breaks it in Ramadaan, if her menstruation ends and she becomes Taahir (ritually pure) after Fajr (Dawn) Prayer or after Thuhr (Noon) Prayer? Or must she not observe the fast in this circumstance, because the duration of fast is from the break of the dawn until sunset?

Answer: If menstruation ends and a woman becomes Taahir after the time when abstention from all that breaks Sawm enters, whether this occurs at the beginning of the day, in the middle of it, or at its end, then she has to abstain from all that breaks fast the rest of the day. This is according to the Saying of Allaah (Exalted be He): So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadaan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month… read more here.

Delaying making up for the days of Sawm missed intending to make up for them collectively

Question: For four years, I have not made up for the days of Sawm (Fast) of the Ramadaan that I missed when I was menstruating. I am 19-year-old now, and I started to observe Sawm during Ramadaan when I was 14 years old. Actually, I initially decided to observe Sawm for a complete month and thus collectively make up for the five days of fasting that I missed (due to menstruation) when their total reaches thirty days. Having grown up and known that doing so is impermissible, I was advised that I must make up for every day I missed in addition to feeding a poor person or paying a certain sum of money per day. However, it is beyond my financial capacity to feed a poor person or pay a certain sum of money per day, as I am still a student and fully supported by my father. It is noteworthy that I changed my plan, and this year I made up for the missed days of Sawm (due to menstruation) in the last Ramadaan. What do you advise me to do in this regard? May Allaah reward and safeguard you?

Answer: The ruling is that you should make up for the missed days of Sawm in Ramadaan during the past years, in addition to feeding a poor person half a Saa` (1 Saa`= 3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food of your country for each day. But, if it is beyond your ability to feed a poor person, it will remain as a debt on you till the time you can fulfil it. However, paying a certain sum of money instead does not discharge the liability… read more here.

A woman does not become purified from menstruation until finding the white discharge

Question: My wife performed after-menstruation Ghusl (full ritual bath) on the first day of Ramadan, but she observed fast before doing this Ghusl. Is her fast on that day valid? Sometimes, after she performs after-menstruation Ghusl, some drops of blood are still seen. In this case, should she repeat the after-menstruation Ghusl?

Answer: A woman should perform after-menstruation Ghusl when her menstrual blood has completely stopped; that is, she sees the sign of Tuhr (purity from menstruation or postpartum blood, i.e. seeing the white discharge or seeing no blood traces). As long as some menstrual blood is still seen, even if it is little, a woman is still considered menstruating, except when the menstrual period exceeds the maximum time, i.e. Fifteen days… read more here.

Taking contraceptive pills to prevent the monthly period during Ramadan

Question: My wife uses contraceptive pills. During the month of Ramadaan this year, she continued taking the pills until the end of the month, as she did not wish to break her fast. Should she make up for the days of her regular menstrual period? In fact, she remained clear from the menses for the whole month, and her monthly period appeared only four days after Ramadaan. Has she to make up for the days she would have her period, and in which she did not break fast?

Answer: If the case is as you mentioned, that your wife did not menstruate during the days of Ramadaan because of using contraceptive pills, then she need not make up for these days… read more here.

Ruling on bleeding outside the monthly period

Question: I am a young woman. My monthly period usually lasts for only five days. Once, it came before the White Days (13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month), on which I usually observe fasting, all praise be to Allaah. I intended to observe fasting the first day of them, which coincided with the fifth and last day of my menstrual period, when I saw that the menstrual blood stopped. On that day, I proceeded with fasting until after Thuhr (Noon) Prayer, but I had to break the fasting because the menstrual blood resumed. On the second day of the White Days, I performed Ghusl (ritual bath) and intended to observe fasting. However, I noticed some bleeding, tending to be orange and sometimes red in color, still coming out. Yet, I did not break the fasting and continued it to the end of the day, putting my trust in Allaah (Glorified and Exalted be He). The discharge did not stain my clothes, and I performed Ghuslonce again and changed my clothes. Also, on this second day of the White Days, at the time for `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer, I went to perform Wudoo’ (ablution) and offer the two Rak`ahs (units of Prayer) of Wudoo’ only to find the bleeding had once again resumed and it was brown in colour. This time, it stained my clothes. I performed Ghusl once again and continued fasting the rest of the day. What is the ruling on fasting this day? Is it invalid?

Answer: Your Sawm is valid because your usual period of menstruation was over, and the bleeding mentioned above is not judged as menstruation… read more here.

Not making up for missed days of Sawm till death

Question: My grandmother died while still had to make up for some missed days of Sawm (Fast) in Ramadaan. However, she did not know exactly how many days she missed. She would break Sawm when she was menstruating, during her postpartum period, or when she was extremely tired. But, she did not make up for these missed days out of ignorance. By the time, she had learned the rulings of the Sawm she was already very old and unable to observe Sawm. She died (may Allaah have mercy on her) while still did not make up for these missed days. My mother does not know how many days her mother did not observe Sawm. Will it benefit my grandmother and make up for her missed days of Sawm that my mother observes Sawm on her behalf during the White Days (13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month), along with Mondays and Thursdays, with the intention to dedicate the reward to her mother? Or will it benefit her if my mother makes an estimation of these days and offers Kaffaarah (expiation) for them along with observing Sawm?

Answer: If you are most certain that your grandmother did not make up for her missed Sawm, andshe told you so when she became old, then it is permissible for you to observe Sawm on her behalf with the intention of making up for her missed days of Sawm… read more here.

The Kudrah (dusky-colored vaginal discharge) as a part of menstruation entailing breaking Sawm

Question: I had my menses during Ramadaan. Actually, it has a regular pattern of six days. However, last Ramadaan it continued for only five days and I had doubts regarding its continuation to the sixth day. On the sixth day, at 6 A.M., I got up to find no bleeding but Kudrah (dusky-colored vaginal discharge during or after menstruation). I was unsure whether my period had already ended before or after dawn. Now, what should I do in this a case? Should I make up for the fast of the day I doubted? Please, be informed that I took Ghusl (ritual bath) and offered Thuhr (Noon) Prayer, and I abstained from eating and drinking since 4 A.M., that is, before seeing the Kudrah. Praise be to Allaah, I continued fasting that day and on the subsequent days without noticing any bleeding except for the Kudrah.

Answer: Your regular pattern of menstruation lingers for six days and the Kudrah is part of your menstruation period, and you did not see the white discharge, which indicates that the period was over. Now, you should make up for the sixth day on which you fasted, as it is a continuation of your menstrual period… read more here.

Breaking fast because she noticed traces of blood, as if her periods had began

Question: My menstrual period always comes every thirty-two days. On 15th of last Sha`baan, I got my period and I was supposed to get the following period on 17th Ramadaan. However, on that particular day after `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer I noticed traces of blood, and therefore, I ate an olive. Thereafter, I did not have any blood, and thus, I fasted and Prayed until the 29th night of Ramadaan.

Answer: You should make up for the day you broke your Sawm (Fast) in Ramadaan by mistake, because that was not an excuse for breaking your Sawm or abandoning Salaah (Prayer)… read more here.

Not making up for the missed days of Sawm due to menstruation from puberty to menopause

Question: A woman says that since she reached puberty until she reached menopause she has not made up for the days of Sawm (Fast) which she missed during Ramadaan due to the monthly period, and she is now in her menopause. She said that the reason for not making up for these days was that she used to think that she was not required to make up for the missed Salaah (Prayer) or for the missed days of Sawm. Now, she found out that she has to make up for the missed days of Sawm, but she does not know the number of days she missed due to the passage of many years. What should she do now with respect to all the days that she did not fast in Ramadaan, taking into consideration that this happened due to her ignorance of the ruling and her unawareness of it?

Answer: It is incumbent upon this woman to make up for the days she did not observe Sawm in Ramadaan starting from the time she reached puberty until her menopause. She should exert efforts to estimate the number of days she missed during Ramadaan within the past years… read more here.

Delaying making up for the missed days of Sawm until the following Ramadaan

Question: When I was fourteen years old, I had the monthly period and I did not tell my family about it. In Ramadaan, I did not fast for five days and did not make up for them. I did the same thing for three years. When I got married I made up for these days, but I did not pay expiation for them. Am I obligated to pay expiation for breaking my Sawm (Fast) in those days?

Answer: It is an obligation upon a woman who starts getting her monthly period to fast Ramadaan. Not making up for the missed days of Sawm due to menstruation is a mistake committed by the questioner, and she should repent to Allaah from that… read more here.

Making up for fasting and intentionally missed salaah

Question: We know that menstruation invalidates fasting; and when it endsand a woman has performed Ghusl (ritual bath), then she can resume fasting. She also has to make up for the missed days of fasting. However, there is a woman who performed Ghusl upon noticing that her menstruation blood ceased. But after performing Ghusl, her menstruation restarted again and remained for one more day and stopped. This time she did not perform Ghusl, and yet she fasted for six days after that. Is her fasting for these six days valid or invalid? If it is not valid, is her fasting without performing Ghusl judged as one who does not fast intentionally, bearing in mind that her intention was not to violate the rulings of Islaamic law? If her fasting of those six days is judged like one who intentionally does not fast, and she is poor, then she is obligated to fast for sixty consecutive days. This ruling applies when one does not fast for one day intentionally, then how about missing six days of fasting?

Answer: The menstruating woman is not to perform Ghusl until the bleeding completely ceases and she notices that she is clear from any blood. But, if she performs Ghusl before becoming pure and the complete cessation of blood, and then the bleeding resumes, this blood is considered part of her monthly period, as long as the period of menstruation does not exceed fifteen days. Based on this, the first Ghusl which she performed is not valid, and the day in which the bleeding resumed was part of her monthly period. As such, she had to perform Ghusl after the blood has completely ceased… read more here.

The person who must make up for fast missed till becoming old or disabled

Question: I am a woman. Due to an illness, I could not fast the month of Ramadaan eight years ago. Now I am aware that it is an obligation upon me to make up for the missed days of fast in Ramadaan. I desire to comply with the Islaamic law and make up for these days, but I can not due to a pectoral disease, which affects my health very much. My question is: Can I feed sixty needy people instead of the fast, or am I required to fast and feed the needy? Can the expiation be given as money instead of food?

Also, I have a brother who deliberately did not fast one day of Ramadaan about six years ago with no legal excuse, and now he wants to make up for this missed day. However, some people told him that it is impossible to make up for this day even if one is to fast the rest of his life. Given this, he has not made up for it until now.

Please provide me with Fatwaa’ regarding these questions. I am very frustrated and I direly need your guidance. May Allaah reward you greatly.

Answer: You must make up for the number of days of fast which you had missed in the month of Ramadaan eight years ago, and you should also ask Allaah’s (Exalted be He) Forgiveness for this sin. Moreover, you are obligated to feed a needy person by giving him half of a Saa` (1 Saa`=3 kg. Approx.) from the staple food of your country in lieu of every day you make up for.. read more here.

Fasting while menstruating or during postpartum period

Question: I am an elderly uneducated woman, and in the past before getting acquainted with the opinions of Muslim jurists and the media, such as Radio, whenever I had my monthly period or post-partum bleeding during the daytime of Ramadaan, I would continue fasting and would not make up for these days. I thought that it was not obligatory on me to make up for the fast when I have my menses or during post-partum bleeding, in the same way I do not have to make up for Prayer. I continued doing this for many years, but now I am aware that I am obligated to make up for the missed days of fast which I missed. However, I cannot do this for several reasons:

Firstly: I do not know the number of days of fast which I had missed.

Secondly: I cannot do fast due to my old age and my physical inability.

I, like many other Muslim women, am in this situation due to our ignorance. We ask Allaah, the Most Merciful, to pardon us.

Answer: Firstly: You are obligated to make up for all the days of fast, during which you were menstruating and were having post-partum bleeding. Fasting while menstruating or during post-partum bleeding was invalid… read more here.

Not observing Sawm due to the lack of food

Question: Some years ago, we were going through a time of severe deprivation to the point that I could not fast. I had nothing to live on except for water. What am I required to do?

Answer: You have to make up for the days of fasting which you had missed during Ramadaan. In addition, you have to feed a Miskeen (needy) person for each day you missed. You have to give him half a Saa` (1 Saa`= 3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food in your country. However, it is enough to observe Sawm if you are incapable of feeding him… read more here.

Not making up for the days of fasting missed by a menstruating woman

Question: A woman used to break her fast during her monthly period in Ramadaan, but she would neither make up for the missed days of fasting nor for the missed Prayers. However, she was ignorant of the legal ruling in this regard. What should she do now, taking into consideration that she was doing this out of ignorance? Please provide us with a legal Fatwaa’ on this matter, may Allaah reward you greatly!

Answer: She is obligated to make up for the number of the days of fasting she had missed in Ramadaan due to menstruation, whether this happened in one year or a number of years. In addition, she must feed a needy person as an expiation along with making up of the days of fasting she had missed. The expiation is giving this person half of a Saa` (1 Saa`= 3 KG Approx) from the staple food of the country, if she can afford it. However, if she cannot afford it, then fasting alone will be sufficient… read more here.

Menstruating or newly delivered women delaying making up for the missed days of Ramadaan

Question: Some women do not make up for the days of fasting they have missed in the month of Ramadaan until some years later. For instance, a woman may happen not to fast the month of Ramadaan of 1410 A.H due to illness or being in post-partum period. She postpones making up for this Ramadaan until after Ramadaan of 1411 AH. Other women do not make up for the days they missed at all. They give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) instead of fasting. I hope Your Eminence will guide us towards the right view in this regard. May Allaah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you.

Answer: Firstly, If a woman breaks her fasting during Ramadaan on account of menstruating, being in post-partum period, or falling ill, she will be required to make up for the days of fasting she had missed after Ramadaan is over. This is provided that her condition has changed and the legal excuse for which she broke the fast is cleared… read more here.

Is the Sawm valid if menstruating after Iftaar?

Question: If a woman became menstruating in Ramadaan after Iftaar (breaking Fast) and before the `Ishaa’ (Night) Salaah. Is she obligated to make up for this day, or is her Fast valid?

Answer: The Fast of a woman who became menstruating after sunset and before `Ishaa’ Prayer is valid for that day, which she has already fasted. She is not obligated to make up for it later… read more here.