Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterRulings Related to Pregnant Women
Question
I want to know what are the rulings related to pregnant ladies?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Rulings concerning pregnancy and pregnant women are many. Here are some of them:
Firstly, the shortest period of pregnancy before giving birth is six months according to the consensus of the Muslim scholars. However, they have different opinions concerning the maximum period of pregnancy. The Shaafi'i, and Hanbali Schools of jurisprudence, and one of the opinions of the Maaliki School state that the maximum period of a pregnancy is four years. The Hanafi School of jurisprudence is of the opinion that it is only two years. The later opinion is also one of the opinions of Imam Ahmad 
.
Secondly, all the Muslim scholars have agreed upon that the Iddah (waiting period) of a woman ends when she gives birth whether the Iddah is following a divorce or due to the death of her husband.
Thirdly, a pregnant woman is eligible to receive her maintenance after an irrevocable divorce if she is pregnant. Allah Says (what means): {And if they should be pregnant, then spend on them until they give birth.} [Quran 65: 6]
Fourthly, it is permitted for her to give up fasting in Ramadan if she fears any harm for herself or for her fetus. But, she has to make up those days later.
If she gives up fasting due to fear for her fetus only, she has to make up those days in addition to feeding a needy person for every missed day.
Fifthly, the Muslim scholars differ on the flow of blood of a pregnant woman. The majority of the Muslim scholars believe that a pregnant woman does not menstruate, so her bleeding that is not due to labor pain is considered a form of illness and she should continue to fast and pray even though the blood has not stopped.
Allah knows best.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
