The Questioner Asks

I am a woman who was forced by circumstances to break my fast for six days in the month of Ramadhaan, and the reason for that was due to examinations because they began in the month of Ramadhaan and the subjects were difficult. And had I not broken my fast during those days I would not have been able to study those subjects bearing in mind that they were very difficult. I kindly request that you benefit me with what I must do so that Allaah may forgive me.

Shaykh Uthaymeen answers:

Firstly to give consideration for doing something based on circumstances is a mistake; but what is paramount is to say ”I was forced by severe necessity or what is similar to this (statement).”

Secondly her breaking the fast during Ramadhaan due to examinations is also a mistake and it is not permissible, because she is able to revise at night and there is no necessity to break the fast. So upon her is that she repents to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and repeats those fasts, because she held an erroneous interpretation and did not abandon those days out of negligence.

[Source: Fataawaa Al-Mar’atil Muslima by Daar As-Sahaabah and Daar Sabeelul Mumineen compiled with the recommendation of shaikh Muhammad Al – Imaam. Page: 358. Also see Majmoo Al-Fataawaa of Shaikh Uthaymeen 19/84]