Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to fast in Ramadan if she is able to do so, and what are the proofs for that?
This invalid fatwa contradicts the clear Sunnah. In Sahih Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Sa'id, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Is it not true that when she menstruates, she neither prays nor fasts? That is a deficiency in her religion." And the wording in Muslim from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states: "We used to menstruate during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and we were commanded to make up for the fast, but we were not commanded to make up for the prayer." This is the wording from Abu Dawud. As for scholarly consensus (Ijma'): The Ummah has unanimously agreed on the prohibition of fasting for menstruating and post-natal women, and that their fasting is not valid. The Ummah has also unanimously agreed on the obligation for them to make up for the fasts of Ramadan. Some scholars have sought wisdom behind prohibiting a menstruating woman from fasting, explaining it by the weakness that afflicts her. However, this does not imply that if she does not experience weakness from fasting, she may fast. This mentioned point is a wisdom for the ruling, not its cause, and it is speculative, thus it cannot override established texts.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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