Is it permissible for me to break my fast in Ramadan out of concern for the fetus's health, given that I suffer from cholestasis in the liver and must take medications on time, and must I make up for the fast and offer expiation if I break it?
A pregnant woman may break her fast if she fears harm to herself, her fetus, or both. Trustworthy doctors must determine whether fasting is safe or not. If doctors decide that fasting will affect her health, she may break her fast and only needs to make up the missed days (qada'). However, if the concern is solely for the fetus, she may break her fast and must make up the missed days (qada') along with offering a fidyah, which is feeding one poor person for each day, equivalent to approximately 750 grams. The evidence for this is from the fiqh of Imam Al-Shafi'i and the saying of Ibn Abbas in his interpretation of the verse: {And upon those who are able to fast, but with difficulty, a ransom [as substitute]} (Quran 2:184).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/183153