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Fatwa CenterMaking up fasts for women with successive pregnancies
Question
As-salaamu 3laikum. I have read all of your fataawa about the cases in which a pregnant or breastfeeding is excused from fasting and the different opinions about what she needs to do if she doesn't fast. However, I am confused about one thing. What happens in the case of a woman who has a number of children in close succession, so that there is no gap between completing the breastfeeding of one child and becoming pregnant with the next? If she had several children in a row, and completed two years of breastfeeding for each, when it came to the time for making up the missed fasts, she would have to fast continuously for a year or more. So what are the possible solutions to this matter - should she stop breastfeeding before two years, use contraception, or try fasting while breastfeeding in winter when the day is shorter to make up some of the missed fasts, even if she fears for her child? I am asking because I will soon have my first child in shaa Allah and I am hoping to breastfeed, and I don't want to accept the contraception which is usually offered after the birth if there is another solution to this issue. I am already 30 years old and I am worried that if I delay having another child for a long time my fertility will start to decline. Jazaakum Allahu khair
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
A woman is not obliged to refrain from breastfeeding or from becoming pregnant in order to fast in Ramadan. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are permitted to break fast in Ramadan if they are concerned for themselves or their babies. However, if a breastfeeding or pregnant woman is able to fast and does not fear harm for herself or her child, then she is not permitted to break fast.
The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: "The scholars agreed that pregnant and breastfeeding women are permitted to break fast in Ramadan, provided they fear illness, the worsening of an illness, harm or death for themselves or their child."
Therefore, if a woman breastfeeds or is pregnant during successive years and is unable to fast, then she is obliged to make up those days even if they are many, but if she is absolutely unable to make them up, for example if she has a chronic illness, then instead of fasting, she must feed a poor person for each day she has broken fast.
The important thing is that you must firstly make up for the missed days, even if they are many, and that you are not obliged to refrain from becoming pregnant or from breastfeeding.
Allaah Knows best.
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