By Mujidat Oyewole
Prof. AbdulRazzak Alaro, an Islamic scholar, has advised Muslim women, especially pregnant women and breast feeding mothers, to fast during the month of Ramadan, in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The don encouraged them to observe fasting as prescribed by the holy Qur’an and according to their ability.
Alaro gave the advice while fielding questions ahead of the upcoming Ramadan from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday.
He reminded the faithful that fasting was compulsory for all Muslims during the month of Ramadan, excluding the aged, sick, travellers and few other special exceptions.
The scholar however emphasised that Almighty Allah has exempted some categories of people from fasting, while some were given the opportunity not to fast if they do not have the ability to fast.
“A sick person may decide not to fast, as it may cause more problem for him, but if the sick person knows that fasting will not affect his health condition, he can proceed with the fasting.
“A woman in her menstural period and a woman who just delivered and still experience blood flow is completely exempted from fasting,” he explained.
Alaro said that there are several others mentioned in the holy Qur’an that are not expected to fast, but they are of two categories.
“Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers belong to the first category; if a woman feel she is strong enough to fast, then she can go ahead and fast, except otherwise.
“The same with sick people and travellers, except if the fasting will be difficult for them to observe, but there is no compulsion in fasting or not fasting for this category of Muslim,” he said.
The scholar said that it was unfortunate that some women took the opportunity of pregnancy and breast feeding as their license not to fast, which he said is very wrong.
Alaro added that there are some principles guiding those that were exempted from fasting for certain reasons, saying that some of them have to pay back the fasting they omitted after the month of Ramadan.
“There are some set of people exempted from fasting and will not have to fast again, rather, may need to do other things, while some other exempted from fasting will have to pay back the omitted ones.
“Among the set of people that were exempted from fasting and will not pay back are the old people, the incapacitated ones, (like those that have serious health condition, without an end to it).
“These set of people are advised to feed the needy every day of the Ramadan, and it can be one person per day or more than one person, depending on the person’s ability.
“Another set of people are the temporary sick ones, travellers, mesturating women, nursing mothers that just delivered and still experience blood flow will all pay back their omitted fasting after the month of Ramadan,” he said.
The scholar however noted that there were four different opinions regarding pregnant women and breast feeding mothers who could not fast during Ramadan, saying that the first opinion is that if it is based on her health issue, she will pay back after Ramadan.
“The second opinion is that, if it is because of the health condition of her unborn child, or temporary sickness, she will pay back and also feed a needy person.
‘The third opinion is that the woman in question have the opportunity of either to pay back the omitted Ramadan fasting or feed the needy every day of the Ramadan.
“And the fourth opinion is deduced from the holy Qur’an, where it is emphasised that those that have temporary sickness should pay back their Ramadan fasting when they are healthy, while those that have a permanent health condition should feed the needy,” Alaro said.
He however said that the fourth opinion is more safe, saying that anything that is mentioned in the holy Qur’an should be given more consideration over any other prescription.
The scholar said that the temporary sickness mentioned in the holy Qur’an can be linked to those that were sick as a result of pregnancy and recovered after delivery, adding that these set of people should try and pay back their omitted fasting after Ramadan.
Alaro prayed for the well being of the nation and the end of Coronavirus pandemic.
