Is it better for a pregnant woman to break her fast or to fast and endure the hardship?
The answer is summarized as follows: The legislation of fasting is based on ease, and if hardship increases to the point of harm, then fasting becomes prohibited. This is supported by the Almighty's saying: (Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship), and the : (It is not righteousness to fast while traveling). Furthermore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to choose the easier of two matters as long as it was not sinful, and Allah loves that His dispensations be taken.
Scholars have mentioned that for a sick person who finds fasting difficult, it is better for him to break the fast; in fact, fasting may become forbidden for him if he fears harm. Based on this, if fasting is difficult for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, it is better for them to break the fast. Scholars have explicitly stated the prohibition of their fasting if it would harm the fetus or child, because this falls under the category of harm and hardship which the Shari'ah has forbidden.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 15607
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy