It is not permissible for pregnant and breastfeeding women to break the fast unless they fear for themselves or their children
Question I read a hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has waived the fast for pregnant and breastfeeding women.” Does that mean that fasting is not obligatory for them whether it entails hardship or not?. Answer Praise be to Allaah. This hadeeth was narrated by Abu Dawood, 2408; al-Tirmidhi, 715; al-Nasaa’i, 2315; and Ibn Maajah, 1667. It says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has relieved the traveller of half of the prayer and of the duty to fast, and He has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast).” It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. This hadeeth is general in meaning and applies to every pregnant woman, but the scholars limited it to cases of hardship, based on the reason for which this ruling – namely pregnant women not fasting – was prescribed. This is similar to the reference to the sick in the verse (interpretation of the meanin...