Ramadan fasting is a significant obligation for Muslims worldwide, and they have begun observing it for the year 2025. However, while fasting holds great importance, certain groups are exempt, including pregnant women.
According to Islamic scholar AbdulRafiu Busari, who spoke exclusively with Legit.ng, pregnant women are exempt from Ramadan fasting due to health concerns.
The cleric explained that while some pregnant women may have the strength to fast, they are still advised to refrain, as Allah does not want any Muslim to take actions that could harm their health or endanger their lives.
Why pregnant women should repay Ramadan fast
However, Busari noted that these women are expected to make up for the missed fasts after childbirth, though this is not commonly practiced in this part of the world. He explained that many women begin breastfeeding after delivery and often become pregnant again soon after, making it difficult to repay the fasts.
He said; “There are two categories of pregnant women, fasting is a debt that must be paid. When a woman is pregnant and Ramadan has started, some women have the strength to be doing everything during pregnancy, we have women who can fast during pregnancy, but it is very rare. Even if such a woman wanted to fast, she would not be allowed to fast because of her health and that of the baby. “
“But in this part of the world, I am yet to see a pregnant woman who repays her fasting after giving birth. After giving birth, the woman would start breastfeeding, like two months breastfeeding, such a woman would get pregnant again. But according to Shari’ah, a pregnant woman is expected to repay her fasting after giving birth.”
Categories of Muslims Exempted from Fasting
According to Islamic scholar AbdulRafiu Busari in an interview with Legit.ng, the Quran specifically mentions two exempted groups, while Shari’ah (Islamic law) identifies several others who may be excused from fasting during Ramadan. However, those exempted are expected to make up for the missed fasts once they are able to.
He said; “If we go to Suratul Baqarah verse 182-186, Allah talks about fasting in these verses. He mentioned two people exempted from fasting. Someone who is sick. One of the things Allah prohibited is for us to injure our lives or what would lead to our deaths. This is because Allah values human souls. He did not want us to die before our time. The Quran mentions that the second person is someone who is on a journey. The Quran is clear about these two categories of people.
“However, Allah did not give them the fasting, He says they will choose another day, when they return from a journey or when they get better from their sickness, to repay the fasting. Such a person will repay the 30 days of fasting. If the Ramadan month was 29, such a person would repay 29 days of fasting. He or she did not commit any sin, such person’s case was based on circumstances.”
Why Ramadan is a debt for Muslims
He further explained that any Muslim who falls ill during Ramadan and later recovers must make up for the missed fasts. However, if the person passes away before repaying the fasts, their heirs—those entitled to their property—are expected to fast on their behalf for the number of days missed.
He says; “If it was in the middle of Ramadan that the person fell sick, such a person would fast from the number he started the sickness or went on a journey. Even Shari’ah explained that if the person died in the sickness or the journey, the children, who are entitled to inherit the person’s property, would share the fasting month among themselves. For instance, if the person started the sickness when Ramadan was 10 and died when Ramadan became 15, his or her children would only repay the five the person was unable to repay before his death.
“This is because the fasting such person missed during the period has become debt and one of the things that stops the dead from having a pass before Allah ta’Allah was debt. However, it is not a debt if the person did not start Ramadan, even if the person prayed Taraweeh (The prayer Muslims pray a night before the commencement of Ramadan).”
How the world celebrates Ramadan
Ramadan is observed in various ways across the world, from Iftar gatherings to household decorations and traditional foods marking its arrival.
According to tradition, fasting begins at dawn with a pre-dawn meal called Suhoor and ends at sunset with Iftar. During this period, Muslims abstain from all food and drink, including water, until sunset.