Menstruating while Fasting

Q: I was fasting and at around 2:00pm discovered that I started menstruating. Will my fast be counted?

A: That fast was not valid. You shall have to keep the qadha. Whenever the menses starts at any time during the day, the fast breaks and she has to keep its qadha after Ramadaan.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Nifaas and Missed Fasts

Q: If a women experiences nifaas and is breastfeeding during the month of Ramadaan, does she need to make qadhaa for all the fast that she has missed?

A. During Nifaas the woman has to make Qadhaa of all fasts that were missed. Breastfeeding does not alter this ruling.

Mufti Siraj Desai

Fitra and Fidya for 2009

Q: What is the Fidya for this year (2009)?

A: The Hanafi Fidya and Fitra amounts for Ramadaan 1430/September 2009 is R10. The Shafi Fitra is R25 and Shafi Fidya is R12. These amounts apply to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Other areas should follow their local Ulama.

Muhammad Badsha
Checked by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Stopping Menstruation for Ramadaan

Q: Are women allowed to skip their monthly Ghayd (Haidh/menstruation) cycle by taking the pill so as to be able to fast for the whole month of Ramadaan.

A: This will be permissible but detrimental to your health. Do not interfere in the system created by Allah Ta'aala for our bodies. The Qadhaa of the missed fasts which will be kept after Ramadhaan will bring the same reward, so why endanger your health? This method of taking medication to stop the periods is unnecessary.

Moulana Yusuf Laher

Checked and approved by: Mufti Siraj Desai

Pregnancy, Fasting and Fidya

Q: I am 3 months pregnant. I cannot fast because I am weak due to the fact that I cannot eat a lot. Can I give Fidyah?

A: If you have been advised by a Muslim gynaecologist or doctor that fasting will endanger your life or the life of your baby, then you may leave out the fasts. You will then have to observe the aadhaa of these fasts when you are clean after the pregnancy.

Fidyah is only for those who leave out the fast because of a sickness, and do not have hope of ever recovering from that sickness. In fact, even if such a person who had no hope of recovery paid the Fidyah and thereafter recovered, he or she will have to observe qadhaa of the missed fasts. Fidyah is also for those who due to old age cannot observe the fast.

Sunnat Shower in I'tikaaf

Q: Is it permissible to have a sunnat bath or to shower during I’tikaaf?

A: Leaving the place of I’tikaaf for a shower or sunnat bath will nullify the I’tikaaf. If one needs to freshen up during i’tikaaf then when going to make wudhu one may quickly wash the body with a face cloth or rag, in about the same time that it takes to make wudhu.

Fitra for Past Ramadaans

Q: A person did not give fitrah for past Ramadaans. At that time the person was not staying with their parents. Should this person give it now and what amount?

A: It must be given now according to current rates.