THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND THE BREAST-FEEDING WOMAN'S FAST

Do pregnant or breastfeeding women have to fast during Ramadān?

Ans: Yes, it's obligatory except if they fear for their health or the fetus.

A pregnant Muslim woman must fast like any other individual, unless it poses a threat to her own health or that of her unborn child, in which case it is allowed for her to abstain from fasting.

Ibn Qudāma said: "A pregnant woman can only break the fast if she fears for her health or that of the child (not all women react the same way to fasting, it depends on different factors). If this is proven by experience or by the advice of a trusted doctor, she is allowed not to fast and she will have to catch up after childbirth." {Al-Mughni}

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymīn was asked: What is due on the pregnant woman and the breast-feeding woman if they break their fasts during Ramadān, and what amount of rice suffices them for feeding poor people? 

He said: "It is not permissible for the pregnant woman or the breast-feeding woman to break the fast during the daytime in Ramadān, except with an excuse. If they break their fast with an excuse, it is obligatory on them to make up for the fast, due to the ALLĀH’s Statement concerning the sick person:

فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِیضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرࣲ فَعِدَّةࣱ مِّنۡ أَیَّامٍ أُخَرَۚ 

"So whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then (he may make up for his fast from) a number of other days."

{Al-Baqarah: 184}

And these two types of women (i.e., pregnant and breastfeeding) have the same meaning as the sick person. 

If their excuse is fear for the child, then they must feed poor people for each day along with making up for the fasts. They may give wheat or rice or dried dates or other things from the food that people eat. Some of the scholars have said that nothing is due on them other than making up for the fasts regardless of the situation, because there is no evidence from the Book and the Sunnah that necessitates giving food (for this). And the basic principle is freedom of responsibility until evidence is established that proves doing. This is the position of Abu Hanifah and it is strong.

{Fatāwa Islāmiyah, page 300}

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