Fasting for Menstruating and Postpartum Women
The obligation to fast begins for a woman upon reaching the age of menstruation. Purity from menstrual bleeding and postpartum discharge is essential for the validity of a woman’s fast; thus, menstruating and postpartum women are not permitted to fast. They are required to make up for the days they missed during Ramadan. If a woman begins fasting at dawn but then experiences menstruation or postpartum bleeding during the day, she must break her fast and will need to make up for that day later. If a woman fasts while in these conditions, her fast is considered invalid, as breaking the fast is obligatory for her, making fasting prohibited.
Purity Before or After Dawn
If a woman becomes pure from menstruation before dawn, she is required to fast on that day with the intention of doing so, and her fast is valid even if she delays her ritual purification until after dawn. The only exception here is the sin of delaying the dawn prayer beyond its time, for which she should seek forgiveness and make up the prayer. However, if her menstruation ends after dawn, even by a moment, she must break her fast that day and make up for it later. She should also perform the necessary prayer and other acts of worship aside from fasting. Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “Whenever menstruation occurs for even a portion of the daytime, the fast for that day is invalidated, whether at the beginning or the end.”
For further information, see the article: When Must One Fast After Menstruation?.
Purity During Ramadan from Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding
Scholars have established two opinions regarding the obligation of a menstruating or postpartum woman to continue fasting for the rest of the day if she purifies herself during the day:
- The first opinion, held by the Malikis, Shafi’is, and Hanbalis, states that there is no obligation to continue fasting for the remainder of the day if a woman becomes pure during daylight hours.
- The second opinion, held by the Hanafis, asserts that a menstruating or postpartum woman must continue fasting for the remainder of the day if she becomes pure at any point throughout the day.
As for its desirability, the Shafi’is and Hanbalis encourage women who become pure during the day to continue their fast for the remainder of the day, while the Malikis permit eating and do not encourage continuing the fast.
For more details on the rulings regarding menstruation and fasting, refer to the article: Rulings on Menstruation and Fasting.
The Ruling on Fasting for Pregnant and Nursing Women
Scholars unanimously agree that pregnant or nursing women may break their fast during Ramadan if they fear harm to themselves, their babies, or both. The Shafi’is maintain that pregnant and nursing women must break their fast if they fear experiencing significant, irreparable harm.
For more detailed information on the rulings concerning pregnant women fasting, see the following articles:
- Ruling on a Pregnant Woman Breaking Her Fast in Ramadan
- Conditions for a Pregnant Woman Breaking Her Fast in Ramadan
Related Issues Concerning Women’s Fasting Regulations
The Ruling on the Use of Cosmetic and Medical Products During Fasting
Scholars have unanimously agreed that fasting is not invalidated by anything that enters the body through the skin’s pores. This is supported by a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari where Ummul-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would sometimes reach dawn in a state of ritual impurity during Ramadan without having had a dream, yet he would bathe and fast. This indicates that the Prophet’s bathing while fasting did not invalidate his fast, and the same principle extends to applying ointments and creams, which do not count as consumables. Therefore, using ointments, sanitizers, and other topical treatments does not affect the validity of the fast.
The Ruling on Fasting During Medical Examinations
A woman’s fast becomes invalid if she undergoes a procedure that involves inserting something into her uterus during the daytime in Ramadan. It is advisable to avoid such procedures during fasting unless absolutely necessary. If a woman undergoes such an examination, she should abstain from food for the rest of the day and make up any missed fasting days after Ramadan. Scholars differ over medical examinations that require the insertion of medications or suppositories, with two views emerging:
- The first opinion, held by the Hanafis and Shafi’is, argues that a woman does indeed break her fast by introducing medications or suppositories, as this is similar to breaking the fast by consuming liquids.
- The second opinion, held by the Malikis and Hanbalis, states that a woman does not break her fast by introducing medications or suppositories, based on the belief that only sexual intercourse nullifies the fast, and further, only that which reaches the stomach can do so.
The Ruling on Using Menstrual Suppression Pills While Fasting
A woman’s fast remains valid if she takes pills to suppress menstruation and does not experience menstrual bleeding. It is preferable for women not to take such pills unless necessary, and such medications are prohibited if they pose any potential harm to her health. Consequently, it is permissible for a woman to take halal medication to stop her menstruation, provided it does not cause her any harm. Additionally, the period without menstruation is considered a state of purity for the woman.
For further information regarding the ruling on taking menstrual suppression pills while fasting, consult the article: Ruling on Taking Medications to Delay Menstruation During Ramadan.
The Ruling on Tasting Food While Fasting
There is no harm in a fasting person tasting food as long as nothing reaches the throat, provided that there is a valid reason. The fast remains valid in such cases, although avoiding this practice is preferable to prevent anything from inadvertently entering the throat. Here are the opinions of scholars regarding this matter:
- The first opinion, held by the majority of scholars from the Hanbali, Shafi’i, and Hanafi schools, permits tasting food for necessity or benefit, such as assessing the saltiness or doneness, with the condition that one rinses the mouth after tasting and cleanses the tongue.
- The second opinion, held by Imam Malik, disapproves of tasting food like honey or salt, or similar substances, even if nothing reaches the throat. He also disapproves of chewing food without swallowing.
The Ruling on Vomiting While Fasting
Scholars agree that if someone deliberately vomits, their fast is rendered invalid, and they must compensate for that day without incurring any expiation. However, if a person vomits involuntarily, their fast remains valid, provided they do not swallow anything that comes up.
Fasting for Women Experiencing Istihazah (Irregular Bleeding)
A woman experiencing istihazah must fast and cannot break her fast unless for a valid reason such as illness or travel. Blood that occurs during menstruation is considered menstruation, subject to the same rulings, and once the usual menstruation period has ended, she is classified as experiencing istihazah. Even if bleeding continues, she must perform ritual cleansing and continue to fast and pray. This is supported by a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari from Ummul-Mu’minin Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding Fatimah Bint Abi Hubaish, who inquired of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about her condition. He instructed her to pray as long as it was not the blood of menstruation.
For further details about istihazah, see the article: What is Istihazah?.