Is it essential i fast during this ramadan? i will be entering month 5 of pregnancy?

Question

I have asked advice before , whether i should or should not fast this ramadan due to being pregnant. However still feel unsure. i will be 5 months pregnant. At this part of pregnancy i am told this is the most crucial time for the baby to put on weight and helps its development. Is there an alternative i should do if i do not fast or is it i just make up the days post breast feeding as long as it is b4 the next ramadan begins? i am feeling very guilty that i have made the decision not to fast but just wanted some reassurance on my decision, if i am making the right decision. Please help.

Answer 1

The fast is still required of you.....but its a valid excuse not to fast.  

I'm a healthy person, and if i said i don't want to fast a certain day for no reason....not only do i have to replace the fast, but i get sin from not fasting.  

What this means is that you must still replace your missed fasts, but you are not punished for missing the fast.   I'm not sure though if this qualifies you to pay charity in place of fasting though.    

Answer 2

"Pregnant and nursing women, who are afraid that fasting may weaken them or the child, have the option of fasting or not. After Ramadaan ends, they have the choice of fasting or paying fidiyah (feeding one poor person) for each day that they had missed during Ramadaan. This was the opinion held by Ibn Abbaas, Ibn Umar (R.A.) and others."

At 5 months, your baby needs all the nutrients he/she can get so fasting would be a really bad idea for you.  Feed the poor instead of fasting and you won't have to feel guilty since you are following what the Koran and the wise men have determined is a fair alternative for pregnant and lactating women.

Answer 3

Fiqh-us-Sunnah 3.115

Pregnant and breast-feeding women, if they fear for themselves or for the baby, can break the fast and pay the "ransom." They do not have to make up the days missed. Abu Dawud related from 'Ikrimah that Ibn 'Abbas said concerning the 'ayah "And for those who can fast [but do not],": "This is a concession for the elderly, as they can fast. They are to break the fast and feed one poor person a day. Pregnant or breast-feeding women, if they fear for the child, can do likewise." This is related by al-Bazzar. At the end of the report, there is the addition: "Ibn 'Abbas used to say to his wives who were pregnant: 'You are in the same situation as those who can fast [but do not]. You are to pay the "ransom" and do not have to make up the days later.' " Of its chain, ad-Daraqutni says it is sahih.

Nafi' reported that Ibn 'Umar was asked about a pregnant woman who feared for her unborn baby. He replied: "She is to break the fast and to feed one poor person a day one madd of barley."

There is also a hadith that states: "Allah has relieved the travelers of fasting and half of the prayer, and the pregnant and the breast-feeding women of the fast." According to the Hanafiyyah, Abu Ubaid, and Abu Thaur, such women are only to make up the missed days of fasting, and they are not supposed to feed one poor person a day. According to Ahmad and ash-Shaash-Shaf'i, if such women fear only for the baby, they must pay the "ransom" and make up the days later. If they fear only for themselves or for themselves and the baby, then they are only to make up the missed days at a later date.

Answer 4

You have to eat for your baby. You can't go that long without eating. It could put the abby in harm's way. Don't feel guilty you are making a mature and resposible decision.

Answer 5

just ASk ur doctor

Answer 6

Do not fast in your 5th month of pregnancy, its not fair to you or the baby who needs your nutrients!i

Answer 7

assalamu alaykum

my doctor has told me that the 2nd trimester is the only time where she would OK fasting- she said never fast in ur 1st trimester and try not to fast in ur 3rd trimester.

i didnt fast much during my pregnancies- i was anemic so i just couldn't- i was already weak n couldn't afford to get any weaker. but now i have many days to make up :(   (59) i also didn't fast much while breastfeeding in the early months becoz of low milk supply. i hope i will b able to fast this time around seeing that my baby is 16 months.

u decide whatever feels best. if ur afraid, don't fast- if u feel u'll b ok, then fast- every situation is unique becoz the timings are different all over the world and so r the temperatures. here it will b a 15 hour fast- but in some countries it might b 8 hours only. have u considered fasting on n off? like 1 day fast 1 day eat