Question
I am reading that a woman can break her fast if she gets her period during the day, and it is not required to continue as the fast is not counted. Kindly verify.
Answer:
ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Bear in mind two scenarios:
1. A woman begins the day (i.e., from the time of dawn) in the state of menstruation, hence she did not intend to fast because it is prohibited to fast in such a condition, and her period comes to an end before sunset.
2. A woman begins the day in the state of fasting because at the time of dawn she was pure, however, before sunset, she began menstruating.
In the first scenario, when her period ends and she becomes pure, it becomes necessary for her to do *imsaak*, i.e., avoid eating, drinking, and intercourse for the remainder of the day. The reason why it is necessary for her to do *imsaak *in spite of her fast not counting for that particular day is out of reverence for the month of Ramadan. Thus, if a person nullifies an OPTIONAL fast, *imsaak *would not be binding.
In the second scenario, when her period commences, her fast becomes void, therefore she will make it up another day. Nevertheless, it is forbidden for her to do *imsaak*, hence she should eat secretly.
Hashiya At-Tahtawi: p. 678 (Qadeemi Kutub Khana); Sharhul Wiqayah: v. 2,
p. 525 (Qadeemi Kutub Khana); Maah e Ramazan key Fazaail wa Ahkam: p. 186-187 (Idara e Ghufran)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham