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Making up Ramadan Fasts Missed on Account of Menstruation

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Shafiifiqh.com

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I know of a particular family which consists of 3 daughters and their parents. Each year, during Ramadaan, if any of the daughters is unable to fast due to menstruation, they do not make up for those fasts after Ramadaan as they claim that their father “pays money on their behalf” to make up for the missed fasts. As far as I am aware, anyone who is physically able to fast and has outstanding days to fast should do so by fasting instead of “paying money”. Is there any such ruling where paying money towards the poor or as zakah or feeding the poor on behalf of others’ missed fasts is permissible? If this is not allowed, what is the correct means of women making up the missed days if they are physically able to do so? Thank you for your time in answering my question. May Allah reward you richly for your efforts Insha Allah.

Country: South Africa

Answer:

Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,

Fasting is unlawful for a woman who is menstruating. Imam Bukhari relates that the Prophet Muhammad said, “Is it not that when they menstruate they do not pray or fast?” (Sahih al-Bukhari v. 1, p. 86) Moreover, the Muslims have reached a consensus [ijma’] that it is unlawful for a menstruating woman to fast. (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 2, p. 386; Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 595)

As well, making up fasts missed due to a menstrual cycle is obligatory. Imam Muslim relates that the Prophet Muhammad would command women who had menses to make up the fasts. (Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 594-95) Additionally, the Muslims have reached a consensus [ijma’] that Ramadan fasts missed due to a menstrual period must be made up. (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 2, p. 386; Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 4, p. 595)

To our knowledge there is no dissenting view on the matter. Thus, both ijma’ and clear, well-authentic hadith are definitive evidence that a woman must make up her Ramadan fasts missed because of her menstrual period.

And Allah knows best.

Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.

Source

This answer was collected from Shafiifiqh.com which was a repository of Islamic answers as per the Shafi’i madhhab. The website no longer functions. At its peak, many ‘ulama were involved with the site including Shaykh Mawlana Taha Karaan, Shaykh Abdul-Fattah ibn Abdullah, and Shaykh AbdurRagman Khan.