What is the ruling on a wife fasting a supererogatory fast without her husband's knowledge, given that he knows she is fasting a supererogatory fast, and does his knowledge of her fasting negate the reason for not seeking his permission?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A woman is not permitted to observe a voluntary fast while her husband is present unless she has his permission. The reason for this is that her fasting would deprive him of his right to enjoy her. Two situations are exempted from this rule:
1. If the husband is absent, because he cannot enjoy her at that time.
2. If the husband is unable to enjoy her due to illness, or if he himself is fasting, then the wife may observe a voluntary fast without his permission, as there is no need (for his permission) in these cases.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/7152
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 7152
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy