Answered by: Maulana Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Question
Some scholars say that it is permissible for a woman to eat and drink if she gets menses during fasting but some scholars say that if a woman gets menses while fasting she should not eat and drink until the fast opens. Please clarify.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
If a woman begins her menstruation or enters the postnatal period, her fast will break and she will need to offer qadha at a later date. [al-Hidayah, Vol: 1, Chapter: Sawm]
The author of SarhulWiqayah said, ‘Menses prohibits Prayers and Fasting. It does not forbid the obligation of fast but it forbids the validity of observing it.’ [Anwarud-Dirayah Sarhe Wiqayah, Vol: 1, Chapter: Menstruation (Hayd)]
Therefore, it is not mandatory to avoid consuming food and drink after menses begins while fasting. However, it is better to avoid eating or drinking in front of people who are fasting.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Checked and approved Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham