Ramadan Rules for Females: Essential Fiqh Guidelines for Women

Women need to know Ramadan rules for females. The holy month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a month of reflection, self-discipline, and spiritual growth for Muslims worldwide.

For women, Ramadan is also special in terms of challenges and opportunities since certain rules and regulations are especially designed for their own situations and needs.

From the grace of fasting itself to the special arrangements for menstruation, pregnancy, and lactation, women can not only benefit from the chance to enhance their worship but also have a reminder of Allah’s mercy and compassion for their roles.

Can Women Fast During Menstruation?

Muslim women are not allowed to fast when they are menstruating, that is one of the Ramadan rules for females. According to Islamic faith, a menstruating woman is exempted from fasting because it is a natural condition that temporarily breaks the state of ritual purity required for fasting. This applies both to obligatory fasting during Ramadan and voluntary fasting.

After the end of menstruation, a woman must compensate for the lost fasts of Ramadan but is not obligated to compensate for lost voluntary fasts. Women should be in a ritual state of purity before they start fasting again.

Narrated Aisha (RA): “We used to menstruate in the Prophet’s (PBUH) time, and we were commanded to make up for the missed fasts, but not the missed prayers.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Narrated Umm Salama (RA): “The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘When a woman menstruates, she should not fast and she should make up the fasts after her menstruation has ended.'” (Sahih Muslim)

Explore the Fasting in Ramadan rules and their importance!

Rules for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers in Ramadan

The Ramadan rules for females include the rules for pregnant and nursing women during Ramadan. These rules are formulated to ensure the well-being of the mother and the child.

1. Ramadan rules for females: Exemption from Fasting:

Pregnant Women: If a woman is pregnant and fears that she might harm herself or her unborn child from fasting, she can excuse herself from fasting in Ramadan. She might fear dehydration, weakness, or malnutrition that could cause damage to the pregnancy.

Nursing Mothers: Similar to pregnant women, nursing mothers (women who are lactating) might also be exempt from fasting if they believe fasting will compromise their health or their baby’s health. This can include concern that they won’t have enough milk or will dehydrate.

2. Ramadan Rules for Females: Making Up Missed Fasts:

After Ramadan the Ramadan rules for females is that if a pregnant or nursing woman is unable to fast due to health reasons, she has to make up the lost fasts in the future when she is able to do so without harming herself or her baby. This is similar to the provision for women during menstruation.

Delays in Fasts: If the woman cannot compensate for the fasts afterward, due to ongoing pregnancy or nursing, jurists allow her to delay fasting when she is able to do so. However, she must intend to fast as soon as she can.

4. Scholar’s Opinions About Fasting Among Pregnant and Nursing Women

The schools of thought are similar in ruling that pregnant and nursing women are exempt from fasting if fasting poses a risk to their health or the health of the child. The woman must make up the fasts once she is able to do so. The Shafi’i school permits fidyah if making up the fasts is not feasible.

How Women Can Maximize Ramadan Rewards

1. Fasting with Sincerity: For those who are capable of fasting, it is essential that the fast be done with sincerity (niyyah) and dedication. Fasting is not just abstaining from food and drink but also refraining from evil deeds like gossiping, quarreling, or grumbling. And learn about the Ramadan rules for females.
2. Practice Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Dhikr is an easy yet powerful way of earning rewards. Women can practice Allah’s remembrance during the day, either by saying “SubhanAllah,” “Alhamdulillah,” “Allahu Akbar,” or other dhikr. It can be done while performing household tasks, while resting, or whenever.
3. Reading and Reflecting on the Quran: Ramadan is the month of the Quran, and reading, listening, and reflecting on its meanings has tremendous advantages. Even if it is not feasible for a woman to complete the Quran in a month, she can attempt to read regularly and focus on understanding the meanings.
4. Search for Laylat al-Qadr: The final ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd-numbered nights, are said to possess Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). It is a night better in worship than a thousand months. Women may gain the maximum reward by praying, making dua, and invoking Allah’s mercy during nights even when they are not able to fast due to menstruation.
5. Night Prayers (Tahajjud): Besides the obligatory ones, offering voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud) in the last ten nights can be highly rewarding. Even if it is difficult, doing small acts of worship at night, such as praying two rak’ahs or offering sincere supplications, are rewarding.

Discover the fasting rules during Ramadan, and what is allowed and what is not!

Praying Taraweeh at Home vs. the Mosque

Praying Taraweeh at home and in the mosque have various rewards and benefits. While praying in the mosque has a greater reward, home praying is accessible and has convenience, comfort, and a chance to pray in solitude.

Women in particular can pray at home, and it can be rewarding as long as they truly are sincere and devout about it. Lastly, the most important thing is the will and effort to be close to Allah, whether in the mosque or in the privacy of one’s own residence. That is one of the Ramadan rules for females.

It is the agreement of scholars that praying Taraweeh in the mosque is highly recommended for men. However, in the women’s case, the scholars are more relaxed and permit them to pray at home, wherein their reward will never diminish, as long as they do it with sincerity.

Making Up Missed Fasts: Fidya and Kaffarah

If a pregnant or nursing woman is worried that fasting will be unhealthy for her and does not expect to be able to make up for the missed fasts in the future, she can give fidyah. That is one of the Ramadan rules for females. This involves feeding a poor person for each day of missed fasting (usually one meal).

The fidyah is an exemption whereby fasting is impossible physically, yet help can be provided to other needy people.

Ibn Qudamah (RA) says that pregnant and lactating women can carry out fidyah in the event that they cannot fast due to valid reasons of fear for their health or that of their child. (Al-Mughni, 3/124)

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Conclusion

Ramadan is a special and sacred time for all Muslims, including women, and even though there are guidelines and laws which specifically relate to women, the basic beliefs of fasting, prayer, and spirituality remain the same.

Pregnant, menstruating, or breastfeeding women do not need to fast but can make up lost fasts later in life. That is one of the Ramadan rules for females. Second, women can still do an extensive array of acts of worship during the month of Ramadan, like reciting duas, supererogatory prayers, work of charity, reading or listening to the Quran.

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FAQs

Can you shower during Ramadan?

Yes, you can shower during Ramadan, as long as it does not invalidate your fast, such as swallowing water while doing so.

Can you brush your teeth during Ramadan?

Yes, you can brush your teeth during Ramadan, but it’s important to avoid swallowing water or toothpaste.