‘SILSILAH FATAAWAA JEDDAH’ CASSETTE SERIES (no.25) OF SHAIKH AL-ALBAANEE -rahimahullaah:

Questioner : “I read in a book that if the pregnant women or the breast-feeding women fear for themselves, or for their child, that they should abstain from fasting, and should feed a needy person in place of each day, and that it is not obligatory upon them to make up the days. So how correct is this saying? We hope that you can clarify.”

Shaikh al-Albaanee: “Making up the days is not obligatory upon them, but rather kaffaarah (compensation) of feeding a needy person for each day is obligatory. This is the correct answer.

As for the aforementioned condition, i.e. that if the pregnant woman or a breast-feeding woman fear for themselves or for their child, then this condition is just an ijtihaad (personal deduction) from some of the scholars, and it should not be put as a duty upon the pregnant woman or the breast-feeding woman, because the Prophet (ﺻﻠﻰ اﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ و ﺳﻠﻢ) said:

Allaah -the Exalted and Most High- has remitted fasting from the pregnant woman and the breast-feeding woman.1

Then Ibn `Abbaas said in explanation of His Saying -He the Most High:

[Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, is better for you if only you know.[] [Sooratul-Baqarah (2):184]

[[Meaning: So whoever amongst you is ill, or upon a journey, then let him fast the same number of other days; and as for those of you who can fast with difficulty, then they have the option of feeding a needy person in place of each day.]]

Ibn `Abbaas -radiyallaahu `anhu- said: “Upon the pregnant woman and the breast-feeding woman is to feed (the needy).”

Meaning the aforementioned condition is not to be found, i.e. that the pregnant woman and the breast-feeding woman have to fear for themselves or for their child.”

Translated by Ustaadh Abu Talhah Dawood Burbank (may Allaah grant him and his wife abundant mercy)

1. Hasan Saheeh: Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (no.2408).

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