Is fasting permissible for women during menstruation or post-partum bleeding?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
Scholarly consensus dictates that it is unlawful for menstruating or post-partum women to fast. They must break the fast during Ramadan and make up the missed days later. If they fast in such a state, the fast is invalid and not accepted. This is evidenced by the instruction given to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to make up the fasts but not the prayers. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that when a woman menstruates, she neither prays nor fasts, and this is considered a deficiency in her religious commitment.
Supporting text
The blood of post-partum bleeding holds the same ruling as the blood of menstruation. If menstruation occurs during any part of the daylight hours, the fast for that entire day is nullified, whether it begins at the start or the end of the day. If a menstruating woman intentionally fasts and refrains from eating while knowing it is forbidden, she completes the day's fast, but it is not accepted as valid.