Must a breastfeeding woman, who missed the entire month of Ramadan due to childbirth and breastfeeding, make up for the fasting days while also paying a monetary expiation to the poor?
If a woman breaks her fast due to postpartum bleeding (nifas), she must make up the missed days by scholarly consensus. If her nifas ends before the end of the month, she is obligated to fast. She is not permitted to break her fast except in two situations: First: Fearing for herself or for herself and her child due to breastfeeding; in this case, she breaks her fast and makes up the missed days. Second: Fearing only for her child due to breastfeeding. In this situation, scholars have differed on two opinions: The first: She must make up the missed days and offer expiation (fidya). This is the view of the Malikis in one narration, and of the Shafi'is and Hanbalis. The second: She must only make up the missed days. This is the view of the Hanafis and the Malikis in the second narration. The preponderant opinion is the second one, because the original principle is that the breastfeeding woman's obligation is only to make up the missed days, and there is no evidence for the obligation of expiation. Therefore, you are only obligated to make up the missed days, and any expiation that was given out on your behalf is considered charity for you.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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