Is religious fasting safe for pregnant women? It depends on the woman’s health, stage of pregnancy, and religious guidelines, but medical experts often advise against it due to risks like dehydration and low blood sugar. Many Islamic scholars across major schools of thought allow pregnant women to skip fasting if there’s any fear of harm to themselves or the baby.
Religious fasting, such as during Ramadan in Islam, involves not eating or drinking from dawn to sunset. For pregnant women, this raises concerns because the body needs steady nutrients and fluids to support both mother and child. According to gynecologist Dr. Zafar al-Islam Siddiqui, fasting in the first three months can lead to dehydration and hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. He also warns that fasting late in pregnancy may cause complications. For details, see https://onlineislamicforum.com/can-you-do-intermittent-fasting-while-pregnant/[1].
Islamic rulings provide flexibility here. Imam Abu Hanifa permits a pregnant woman to break her fast if she fears for her own safety or the child’s. In the Maliki school, Imam Malik allows it with a valid medical opinion, as noted by Imam Qurtubi in Al-Jami La-Ahkam Al-Quran and Ibn Rushd in Bida’at al-Mujtahid. The Hanbali view from Ibn Qudamah in Al-Mughni also supports breaking the fast continuously or intermittently if needed. These exemptions aim to protect health, with options to make up fasts later or pay fidya in some cases. More on this at https://onlineislamicforum.com/can-you-do-intermittent-fasting-while-pregnant/[1].
Other sources confirm pregnant women are among those exempt from fasting if it’s unsafe. Embrace Relief lists pregnant or breastfeeding women alongside people with illnesses or the elderly as clear exemptions during Ramadan. The Islamic Association of Raleigh discusses when pregnant women can break the fast, including evidence from scholars on making up days or paying fidya based on opinions. Check https://www.embracerelief.org/making-the-most-of-ramadan-when-you-cant-fast/[3] and https://raleighmasjid.org/fiqh/fasting/what-are-the-days-of-voluntary-fasting/[2].
Muslim Pro outlines general Ramadan rules, noting exemptions for illness or travel, which align with pregnancy concerns. Always consult a doctor for personal advice, as individual health varies. See https://www.muslimpro.com/ramadan-fasting-rules-obligations-exemptions-practices/[4].
Sources
https://onlineislamicforum.com/can-you-do-intermittent-fasting-while-pregnant/
https://raleighmasjid.org/fiqh/fasting/what-are-the-days-of-voluntary-fasting/
https://www.embracerelief.org/making-the-most-of-ramadan-when-you-cant-fast/
https://www.muslimpro.com/ramadan-fasting-rules-obligations-exemptions-practices/
