Ramadan FAQ’s - Female

[ummtaalib]

Fasts and Internal Examination

 

 

Q- Is the fast affected if a woman were to have an internal examination whilst fasting?

 

A. If anything moist or wet (lubricant etc) is inserted into the private part during the internal examination, or if something dry is inserted then removed and reinserted the fast will break. One should try and avoid this examination in Ramadaan as there may be a lubricant or a moist finger or instrument that is inserted and this will cause the fast to break, unless this becomes necessary in which case the fast that was broken should be made up after Ramadhaan.

 

 

 

 

 

Q- Is it permissible for a female to insert medicine through her private part whilst fast?

 

A: Any form of medicine inserted into the internal part of a woman’s private part will invalidate her fast.

 

darulihsan

 

 

 

 

Fasting Woman And A Check-Up With The Gynaecologist

 

Question
What is the Shar’ee ruling regarding a woman who goes to the gynaecologist for a check-up whilst fasting? Does the fast become nullified through the gynaecologist inserting medication into the private organ?



A: If medication or any moist substance is inserted into the private organ of a fasting woman the fast will be nullified. However, if a dry object is inserted during the medical examination the fast will not be nullified. If a dry object was inserted and removed and thereafter re-inserted whilst moist the fast will be nullified. (Ahsanul Fataawa pg.454/455, Bahishti Zewar vol.3 pg.69, Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah vol.15 pg.185, Fataawa Raheemiyyah vol.7 pg.256)

http://alhaadi.org.z...il.html?start=5

 

 

[ummtaalib]

Taking the Pill to keep Fasts in Ramadhaan

 

Q. Is it permissible to take the medication like the pill (contraceptive) throughout the month of Ramadaan to avoid getting one's period in order to keep all the fasts as I feel bad missing these fasts?

 

A.Though it is permissible, it is not best to do so. It could have side effects like tampering with one's cycle, etc. which leads to difficulties and problems in the future for Salaah, Umrah/Hajj etc. This is besides other long term medical harms. It is better that you allow your menstruation to continue as normal and make up for the missed fasts later on. Allah will reward you for your intention to keep all the fasts of Ramadaan and you will not miss out on any of the rewards Insha Allah.

 

And Allah Knows Best

Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Council of Muslim Theologians

[ummtaalib]

Breastfeeding during Ramadaan & Fasting during Pregnancy

 

 

Q. Alhumdulillah, Allah has blessed me with a baby girl. I have decided to breastfeed my baby and not bottle-feed my baby. Can I breastfeed my baby during the Month of Ramadaan whilst fasting? Will breastfeeding my child whilst fasting during the Month of Ramadaan nullify my fast?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. It is permissible for a woman to breastfeed a child whilst fasting. The breastfeeding of a child whilst fasting will not nullify the fast. However, if fasting is detrimental to the health of a breastfeeding woman, she may postpone the fast and make Qadha of the missed fasts after the Month of Ramadaan when she is in a position to do so. (Badaai-us-Sanaai)

 

NB. A breastfeeding woman should consult an upright and experienced Muslim doctor for advice on whether fasting will be detrimental to her health or not.

 

 

And Allah Knows Best

 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

Confirmation:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

 

 

 

Q- Is it compulsory on an expectant mother or a nursing mother to fast? Are they required to fast after Ramadhan if she has the missed fasts or can she just pay the Kaffarah?

 

A. At the outset, it should be noted that Kaffarah is expiation for a person who invalidates a fast of Ramadhaan intentionally by eating, drinking or sexual intercourse, without a valid Shaaree reason. This Kaffarah requires a person to fast sixty days continuously. On the other hand, a person who has no hope of ever fasting like the very old or terminally ill etc. pay fidyah for missed fasts, whereas those who may be excused for not keeping the fasts, due to a temporary valid reason such as pregnancy and breastfeeding are required to make Qadha (make up the missed fasts) when they are in the position to do so.

 

Therefore if  an expectant mother is not in a position to fast based on the advice of a pious experienced Muslim physician/doctor then she may forego the Ramadhaan fast and make up for the fasts that she missed after the month of Ramadhaan when she is in a position to do so. However if she is in a position to keep some or all of the fasts then it is compulsory for her to keep those fasts.

 

NB: It is advisable to make a bequest that if these Qadha fasts are not made in her lifetime, then fidyah should be given on her behalf.

darulihsan

 

 

 

Q. The previous Q&A was about the permissibility for a woman breastfeeding whilst fasting during Ramadaan. What about a woman who is pregnant? 

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may postpone the fast during Ramadaan if fasting will be detrimental to their health or the health of the child. After Ramadaan, they will have to make Qadha of the fasts they had missed when they are in a position to do so. (Badai-us-Sanaai)

 

NB. Breastfeeding and pregnant women should consult an upright and experienced Muslim doctor for advice on whether fasting will be detrimental or not.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

Confirmation:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

 

 

 

Breastfeeding while fasting

 

Q: I have a 3 month old baby who I am breastfeeding. The month of Ramadaan is approaching and I want to know whether I should fast? I am not sure whether I will be able to manage keeping the fasts. 

 

A: If you can manage to keep the fast as well as breastfeed the child, then you should do so. If you cannot manage to keep the fast, then you should make up for the missed fast after the month of Ramadhaan.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

( لمسافر ) سفرا شرعيا ولو بمعصية ( أو حامل أو مرضع ) أما كانت أو ظئرا على الظاهر ( خافت بغلبة الظن على نفسها أو ولدها ) ... ( الفطر ) يوم العذر إلا السفر كما سيجيء ( وقضوا ) لزوما ( ما قدروا بلا فدية و ) بلا ( ولاء ) لأنه على التراخي

و قال في رد المحتار : قوله ( وقضوا ) أي من تقدم حتى الحامل والمرضع ، قوله ( بلا فدية ) أشار إلى خلاف الإمام الشافعي رحمه الله تعالى حيث قال بوجوب القضاء والفدية لكل يوم مد حنطة كما في البدائع (رد المحتار 2/421-423)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach

 

[ummtaalib]

Qadha of fasts missed during Menstruation

 

Q. I know that a woman cannot keep fasts whilst in Haidh-menstruation. Then, if she experiences menstruation whilst fasting, does she have to keep Qadha for the missed fasts in Haidh or not?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. A woman who experiences menstruation during her fast will have to make Qadha for that fast as well as all the fasts she missed during her menstruation. (Hidaayah)

 

N.B. The Qadha of the missed fasts of Ramadaan will be made after the month of Ramadaan.

 

And Allah Knows Best

 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

Confirmation:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

 

 

Q- Does a woman have to keep qadha of fasts missed due to menstruation?

 

A. Yes, Hadhrat A’isha (Radiallaahu Anha) reports from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) that a menstruating woman should keep the qadha of missed fasts but there is no qadha for Salaah missed during menstruation. (I’laaus Sunan vol.1 pg. 372)

 

darulihsan

 

 

[ummtaalib]

Eating during days of Menstruation in Ramadhaan

 

Q- If a female starts menstruating whilst fasting in Ramadhan, can she eat (discreetly) when she is in seclusion? Similarly can she do so when she stops menstruating during the day? What if in both cases she kept the entire fast for that day. Will her fast be valid as she has completed some part of the fast as a pure/paak person?

 

A. If her menses has commenced whilst fasting then she may eat discreetly (out of people’s sight). However, if her menses had terminated during the day, then she should abstain from eating and drinking etc. both in private and public and act as a fasting person. In both cases her fast will be invalid as menstruating women cannot fast. She will have to make Qadha of these days after Ramadhan.

 

darulihsan

[ummtaalib]

Intention for Taraaweeh

 

Q. AsalaamuAlaikum I'd like clarity on ladies performing the taraweeh salaah at home please....can we make a single niyyat for 20 rakaats of taraweeh  salaah or do we need to make a niyyat at the beginning of every 2  rakaats taraweeh ? JazakAllah khair

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. It is not necessary to make an intention of Taraweeh Salaah for every two Rakaats of Taraweeh Salaah. The intention at the beginning of the Taraweeh Salaah to perform twenty Rakaats of Taraweeh Salaah is sufficient. (Al-Bahrur-Raa’iq 1/294)

This applies to both, males and females.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

 

Confirmation: 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

(Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh) 

 

Fatwa Department

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 

Council of Muslim Theologians

[ummtaalib]

Does a Cervical Smear Test invalidate One’s Fast?

 

<QUESTION>

Does a cervical smear test invalidate one’s fast?

 

<ANSWER>

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

The general principle in the Hanafi School of Sunni Islamic law (based on the Qur’an and Sunna) is that inserting medicine, water or anything else into the anus or internal part of a female’s vagina invalidates the fast, since both are deemed passageways through which a substance enters the stomach (jawf) and digestive system.

Imam al-Kasani (Allah have mercy on him), the classical Hanafi jurist, states:

 

“As for inserting medicine into a woman’s vagina, our [Hanafi] scholars have stated that her fast is invalidated by consensus, because there is an opening in her bladder which results in the substance reaching the stomach…” (Bada’i al-Sana’i, 2/93)

 

It is stated in Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:

“If one inserts medicine via a suppository into the anus (ihtiqan)… the fast is invalidated, although there is no expiation/Kaffara [but merely a make-up/qadha]… And a fast is invalidated by inserting [medicine or water] into a woman’s vagina.” (Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/204)

 

And:

“If one inserts a finger into the anus, or a woman inserts her finger into her vagina, the fast is not invalidated unless the finger was wet with water, oil [or the like], in which case the fast is invalidated due to the water or oil reaching inside the body.” (Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 1/204)

 

Furthermore, the renowned classical Hanafi jurists, Imam al-Haskafi and Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on them) state that the complete insertion of a solid substance such as a stick or instrument into the anus [or vagina] such that it disappears fully into the orifice also invalidates one’s fast. (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr al-Mukhtar, 2/397)

Based on these texts from classical Hanafi sources, inserting anything wet with water, oil or the like, even a wet finger, inside a woman’s vagina, the distance to the size of a suppository, invalidates the fast. Likewise, the complete insertion of a solid substance, such that it disappears fully into the orifice, invalidates the fast.

 

In view of this, according to the view of classical Hanafi jurists (fuqaha), a cervical smear test would invalidate a woman’s fast, since it involves inserting a lubricated speculum fully into her vagina.

 

However, some contemporary Hanafi scholars, such as Shaykh Mufti Rafi’ Usmani, are of the view that a smear test does not invalidate the fast. They state that the verdict of early Hanafi scholars was based on the impression that there is a connection between a woman’s vagina and urinary system and her digestive system, and as such, anything inserted into the vagina would inevitably reach her stomach. However, modern medical research clearly denies there being any connection between the two. (Rafi’ Usmani, Dabit al-Mufattirat p, 33-34)

 

This position can be followed as a sound position within the Hanafi School. Thus, a female may take a smear test whilst fasting without it affecting her fast, Insha Allah. However, due to the difference of opinion, it would be best to delay the test until after Ramadhan, if possible.

 

And Allah knows best

[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam

Darul Iftaa

Leicester , UK

[ummtaalib]

Fasting Related Questions pertaining

to Women

 

Q. Does a woman have to keep Qadha of fasts missed due to menstruation?

A. Yes, Sayyidatuna A’ishah RadiallaahuAnha reports from Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi WaSallam that a menstruating woman will keep the Qadha of missed fasts but there is no Qadha for Salaah missed during menses. (I’laaus Sunan V: 1, P: 372, Idaratul Qur’an)

Q. Can I visit my gynaecologist or have a pap-smear during Ramadaan?

A. The fast would be nullified if medication is inserted into the private part. It would therefore be advisable to delay the appointment until after Ramadaan. (al-Fataawa al-Hindiyyah– V: 1, P: 204, Turath)

Q. Is a fasting woman allowed to breastfeed her baby?

A. It is permissible for a fasting woman to breastfeed her child. Breastfeeding does not invalidate the fast. (Jawahirul Fiqh, V: 1, P: 380, D.U. Karachi)

Q. Is it permissible to take the medication like the pill (contraceptive) throughout the month of Ramadaan to avoid getting one’s period in order to keep all the fasts as it is very difficult to keep the missed fasts?

A. Though it is permissible, it is not best to do so. It could have side effects like tampering with one’s cycle, etc. which leads to difficulties and problems in the future for Salaah, Umrah/Hajj etc. This is besides other long term medical harms.

Q. I would like to obtain some clarity on women that miss fasts in the month of Ramadaan due to being pregnant or are breastfeeding. Are they required to fast after Ramadaan the missed fasts or can they just pay the Fidyah?

A. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant may postpone the fast during Ramadaan if fasting will be detrimental to their health or the health of the child. After Ramadaan, they will have to make Qadha of the fasts they had missed when they are in a position to do so. Paying the Fidyah will not suffice if one is physically able to make Qadha of the missed fasts.

NB. Breastfeeding and pregnant women should consult an upright and experienced Muslim doctor for advice on whether fasting will be detrimental or not.

 

Q. If a female starts menstruating whilst fasting in Ramadaan, can she eat (discreetly) when she is in seclusion? Similarly can she do so when she stops menstruating during the day? What if in both cases she kept the entire fast for that day. Will her fast be valid as she has completed some part of the fast as a pure/paak person?

A. If her menses has commenced whilst fasting then she may eat discreetly (out of people’s sight). However if her menses had terminated during the day, then she should abstain from eating and drinking etc. both in private and public and act as a fasting person. In both cases her fast will be invalid as menstruating women cannot fast. She will have to make Qadha for these days as well after Ramadaan. (Ahsanul Fatawa, V: 4, P: 438, Sa’eed)

Q. Is it permissible for a female to insert medicine through her private part whilst fasting?

A: Any form of medicine inserted into the internal part of a woman’s private will invalidate her fast. (al-Fataawa al-Hindiyyah– V: 1, P: 204)

N.B. It is not permissible, whether fasting or not to totally insert a tampon into the inner private part.

Q. What is Kaffarah?

A. The term Kaffarah refers to the penalty upon a person who intentionally breaks his fast for no valid Shari’ reason by either eating, drinking or engaging in conjugal relations during the fast of Ramadaan. In the case of Kaffarah becoming obligatory on a person, a person will have to fast for 60 days consecutively. If a person cannot fast for 60 days consecutively due to a valid Shari’ reason, for e.g., old age or a chronic illness, then he would have to feed 60 poor people two full meals for 1 day, or feed one poor person two full meals a day for 60 days or give them the equivalent in monetary value. The average type of a meal is 1.6kg of wheat or flour or its value. (Maraaqil Falaah 1/250/1)

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)

Council of Muslim Theologians