Periods and Fasting in Ramadan: Rules for Women

One of the manifestations of Islam’s mercy toward women is that it lifts certain religious obligations from them—namely prayer and fasting—during the periods of menstruation and postpartum bleeding, taking into account their physical condition, which may become weaker at that time.

Common questions among Muslim women – as in Canada and other Western countries- concerns periods and fasting in Ramadan. A woman may sometimes feel that her menstrual period creates a break from the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan. However, a proper understanding of Islam shows that the doors of goodness are wide and many. Acts of worship are not limited to prayer and fasting alone; they also include remembrance of Allah, supplication, charity, and reflecting upon the Qur’an.

This comprehensive guide answers these questions by providing accurate scholarly perspectives related to periods and fasting in Ramadan, along with practical ideas that help women turn the days of their valid exemption into opportunities for reward and spiritual growth.

Basic Principles of Periods and Fasting in Ramadan

In Islamic teachings, fasting during Ramadan is an obligation for adult Muslims who are physically able to fast. However, there are specific conditions that temporarily exempt individuals from fasting, such as illness, travel, pregnancy in certain cases, and menstruation.

When discussing periods and fasting in Ramadan, the foundational rule is clear: A menstruating woman and a woman experiencing postpartum bleeding must break their fast during the time of menstruation or postpartum bleeding. It is not permissible for them to fast or perform prayer in that state, and neither fasting nor prayer is considered valid from them during this period. 

They are required to make up the missed fasts, but they are not required to make up the missed prayers. This is based on the authentic report from Aisha رضي الله عنها, who was asked: “Does a menstruating woman make up the missed fasts and prayers?” She replied: “We were commanded to make up the fasts, but we were not commanded to make up the prayers.”

This approach reflects the flexibility and mercy within Islamic law. The rulings concerning periods and fasting in Ramadan acknowledge the physical challenges women may face while ensuring that the obligation of fasting is fulfilled at another suitable time.

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What Happens If Menstruation Starts During a Fasting Day

A common question about periods and fasting in Ramadan is what happens if menstruation begins during a day in which a woman has already started fasting.

If a woman sees menstrual blood during the day while she is fasting, her fast becomes invalid, even if the period begins shortly before sunset, the fast does not count and she must make up that day later. By the onset of menstruation, she is considered to have broken the fast.

It is not permissible for her to intend to fast while she is menstruating, and making such an intention would be considered sinful. She is allowed to eat and does not need to abstain from food or drink until her menstrual period ends.

Scholars emphasize that this ruling applies regardless of how late in the day the menstruation begins. The fast is considered incomplete because one of the conditions of a valid fast is maintaining ritual purity from menstruation throughout the entire fasting period.

This rule is an important part of understanding periods and fasting in Ramadan, as it ensures that women are aware of how to handle unexpected changes during the fasting day.

Can a Woman Resume Fasting Immediately After Her Period Ends

Another frequently asked question about periods and fasting in Ramadan concerns what a woman should do once her menstruation ends.

One of the conditions for the validity of fasting is that no part of the daytime passes while the woman is menstruating. Ibn Qudamah رحمه الله said: “Whenever menstruation occurs during any part of the day, the fast of that day becomes invalid, whether it occurs at the beginning of the day or at the end.”

Therefore, the matter here involves two situations:

First:

When a woman’s period stops before dawn (Fajr), she is required to perform the ritual bath (ghusl) and begin fasting that day. She must also make the intention to fast for the following day, as intention is one of the essential conditions for the validity of fasting.

Even if she delays the ritual bath (ghusl) until after dawn, her fast is still valid. This is because performing ghusl from major impurity or after menstruation is not a condition for the validity of fasting. Therefore, if a woman becomes pure during Ramadan and makes the intention to fast during the night, her fast is valid even if she has not yet performed the ritual bath.

Second:

However, if menstruation ends after dawn during the day of Ramadan, the situation is slightly different. In this case, the woman does not fast for the remainder of that day because the fasting period had already begun while she was still menstruating.

Out of respect for the sanctity of Ramadan, some scholars encourage refraining from eating and drinking publicly for the rest of the day, though the fast itself will not count and must still be made up later. The previous view is the view of the Hanbali scholars, while the Maliki and Shafi‘i schools hold that she is not required to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day.

Understanding these details is essential when discussing periods and fasting in Ramadan, as the timing of purification plays a key role in determining whether fasting should begin that day.

How to Calculate and Make Up Missed Fasts Accurately

Women who miss fasting days due to menstruation must make up those days after Ramadan. This is a well-established ruling related to periods and fasting in Ramadan.

To fulfill this obligation properly, a woman should keep track of the exact number of days she missed during the month. 

Based on what we explained earlier, any day in which a woman experiences menstrual bleeding during the daytime of Ramadan—from after dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib)—is not considered a valid fast, and she must make up that day after Ramadan at any time before the next Ramadan.

There is flexibility in how the missed fasts are completed. They may be observed consecutively or separately, depending on a woman’s schedule and ability. Many women choose to complete them during the cooler months or when fasting feels easier.

When making up missed fasts, the intention (niyyah) should be made before dawn, just as it is for the regular Ramadan fast.

Islamic Legal Perspectives on Periods and Fasting in Ramadan

Many women wonder what acts of worship a menstruating woman can perform during Ramadan to fill her time with good deeds. The simple answer is that she can do everything except prayer, fasting, and circumambulating the Kaaba. She can fill her day with the following righteous actions:

• Reading the Qur’an using a phone, electronic books, or from a physical copy of the Qur’an with a barrier (such as gloves) or from books of Qur’anic interpretation (tafsir).
• Remembering Allah (dhikr) through phrases of glorification, praise, magnification, and seeking forgiveness. These are easy acts of worship that do not require ritual purity.
• Making supplication (du‘a) at any time, as the door of supplication is always open.
• Helping others, such as preparing iftar for those who are fasting, for she receives a reward similar to the one who breaks the fast.
• Maintaining family ties by calling relatives and checking on them, especially during this blessed month.

Islamic jurists across generations have examined the topic of periods and fasting in Ramadan in detail. The rulings are based on authentic hadiths and the consensus of early Muslim scholars.

Well-known narrations have been reported from the Mothers of the Believers and the female Companions during the Prophet’s time were instructed to make up missed fasts due to menstruation but were not required to make up missed prayers. This distinction became a foundational principle in Islamic jurisprudence.

Therefore, the rulings regarding periods and fasting in Ramadan demonstrate a balance between fulfilling religious obligations and avoiding unnecessary difficulty.

Islamic legal scholars also stress that these rulings should be approached with understanding rather than confusion or embarrassment. Menstruation is a normal part of life, and the guidance related to periods and fasting in Ramadan ensures that women can participate in Ramadan in a way that respects both their physical condition and their spiritual devotion.

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Conclusion

Ramadan is a time of spiritual growth, reflection, and increased worship. For women, understanding the rulings regarding periods and fasting in Ramadan allows them to observe the month with clarity and confidence.

The ruling regarding a menstruating woman in Ramadan is based on ease and mercy from Allah. Menstruation is considered a legal excuse during which fasting and prayer are not permitted, and leaving them during these days is a divine command, not a shortcoming on the part of the woman.

In fact, she is required to break her fast during the days of her menstruation. If she were to fast while menstruating, her fast would not be valid and doing so would be prohibited. She must make up the days she missed after Ramadan.

This ruling is a form of legislation filled with mercy, intended to prevent additional hardship during the days when a woman may already be experiencing physical weakness.

By learning the principles of periods and fasting in Ramadan, women – like in Canada and many other countries – can approach Ramadan with peace of mind, knowing that following these rulings is itself an act of obedience and devotion.

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FAQs

1. Can a woman fast during her period in Ramadan?

No. According to Islamic teachings, fasting during menstruation is not permitted. Women should break their fast and make up the missed days after Ramadan.

2. Do missed fasts due to menstruation need to be made up?

Yes. Missed fasting days related to periods and fasting in Ramadan must be completed later before the next Ramadan.

3. What if menstruation begins shortly before sunset?

If menstruation starts at any point before sunset, the fast for that day becomes invalid and must be made up later.

4. Can a woman start fasting if her period ends just before dawn?

Yes. If menstruation ends before dawn, she can begin fasting that day, even if the ritual bath is performed shortly after Fajr. And do not forget to make the intention.

5. Are women rewarded during Ramadan even if they cannot fast due to menstruation?

Yes. Women can still engage in many acts of worship such as supplication, remembrance of Allah, charity, and listening to the Quran.

6. Can a woman fast the six days of Shawwal before making up the missed days of Ramadan?

Yes, this is permissible according to the majority of scholars, since the time for making up the fasts is flexible while the reward of Shawwal may pass.