2 Categories of Women for Whom Fasting Is Forbidden
Ramadan is approaching in its full grandeur, and all of us are to keep fasts in Ramadan — but today we will talk about 2 categories of women for whom fasting during Ramadan is actually forbidden. If such a woman keeps a fast anyway, instead of reward she will receive sin, because while fasting has been commanded in some situations, it has also been prohibited in certain others.
Who Is Fasting Obligatory For?
Know that fasting in Ramadan is obligatory (fard) on every Muslim man and woman who is sane, has reached puberty, and is of sound mind.
(1) Sane — meaning of sound mind, not insane
(2) Having reached puberty — a child who has not yet reached puberty is not obligated to fast
(3) Being conscious — fasting is not obligatory upon an unconscious person, or someone not in their senses
2 Conditions for Fasting
Besides this, there are two conditions for the obligation of fasting: (1) being healthy and well (2) being a resident (not travelling) — meaning if someone is ill, they are permitted to skip the fast, and if someone is travelling, they are also permitted to skip it, but it is necessary to make it up (qaza) later.
So now let’s talk about the 2 categories of women who cannot fast, whether in Ramadan or outside of it. If they fast anyway, firstly it will not be accepted, and secondly, despite the prohibition, instead of reward they will receive sin.
The 2 Categories of Women for Whom Fasting Is Forbidden
1. A Woman in Her Menstrual Period (Haidh)
The first is a woman who is menstruating — for such a woman, fasting (and praying salah) is forbidden and not permissible.
Will a Menstruating Woman Make Up the Missed Fasts?
If a woman’s period comes during Ramadan, she will not fast during those days, but once she becomes pure again, it is necessary for her to make up (qaza) all those missed fasts afterward.
2. A Woman in Post-Natal Bleeding (Nifas)
The second category of women for whom fasting is forbidden is one experiencing nifas bleeding. If you’re wondering what nifas is — it refers to the bleeding a woman experiences after childbirth. A woman in this state is also forbidden from fasting.
Will a Woman in Nifas Make Up the Missed Fasts?
Yes, absolutely. Whatever fasts she missed during these days of impurity, she must make them up (qaza) afterward — otherwise the burden of these missed fasts will remain upon her.
Why Can’t Women in Haidh or Nifas Fast?
In Islam, purity is required to perform prayer and fasting, but when a woman is experiencing haidh or nifas bleeding, she is not in a state of purity during that time — which is why she is prohibited from prayer and fasting in this condition. Since nearly every woman goes through this, women should refrain from prayer and fasting during this state, and make it up once they become pure again.
May Allah grant us the ability to act upon this,
Ameen.
