[Q 539] Ruling on Fasting While Pregnant

QUESTION:

My wife is 8 months pregnant.
Doctor advised not to fast in ramazan because she has nutrient deficiency & she has to take medicines.

Is it permissible to do qaza larer?

ANSWER:

In the situation mentioned, a pregnant woman (hamilah — pregnant woman) is permitted to leave the fast. However, she will have to perform Qadha (make-up) of those missed fasts later.

Allamah ‘Abd al-Ghani al-Maydani al-Hanafi رحمه الله تعالى states:

والحامل والمرضع إذا خافتا على ولديهما أفطرتا وقضتا ولا فدية عليهما
(al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab, Vol. 2, p. 83, Dar al-Kitab al-‘Arabi, Beirut)

Sadr al-Shari‘ah Mawlana Amjad ‘Ali A‘zami رحمه الله تعالى, with reference to Sunan Abi Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Nasa’i, narrates the Hadith. Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik al-Ka‘bi رضي الله تعالى عنه reports that the Beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said:
“Allah تعالى has remitted half the prayer for the traveller (meaning he will pray two Rak‘ahs instead of four), and He has remitted fasting for the traveller, the breastfeeding woman, and the pregnant woman (meaning they are permitted not to fast at that time and later complete the missed fasts).”

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, Part 5, p. 1002, Maktabatul Madinah, Karachi)

In explanation of this Hadith, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na‘imi رحمه الله تعالى states:
“This means that the immediate obligation of fasting has been lifted from these three individuals; they may make Qadha later if they wish. Remember that upon the pregnant woman and the breastfeeding woman only Qadha is Wajib (necessary); they cannot give Fidya. This is the Madhhab (school of thought) of us Hanafis. These two women are like the traveller in this ruling. Furthermore, these women are permitted to delay fasting when they fear harm for their child due to fasting.”

(Mir’at al-Manajih, Vol. 3, p. 186, Maktabah Islamiyyah, Lahore)

Answered by: Usman Madani (Ask Mufti scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 13th February 2026.