Muslimah

Question Was the virgin Maryam pregnant with ‘Eesa (peace be upon him) for nine months? Or when the angels came to her and told her to take refuge at the trunk of the palm tree, did she give birth to him at that point? Answer Praise be to Allaah The scholars differed as to how long Maryam was pregnant with ‘Eesa (peace be upon him). The view of the majority is that it was nine months, as with all other humans. ‘Ikrimah said: Eight months, and said: For that reason no child born at eight months’ gestation lives, so as to preserve the uniqueness of ‘Eesa. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: No sooner did she become pregnant but she gave birth. Ibn Katheer said (3/117) concerning this report narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas: This is strange, and appears to have been taken from the apparent meaning of the verses in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from...

Question A man had an argument with his wife and told her, “You are divorced.” She swore at him so he kicked her in the stomach and pushed her down the stairs. She was five months pregnant and she lost the baby. Then he regretted it and went to her family’s house to take her back. Her father asked me for advice and I asked him to wait until I consulted one of the ‘ulama’ (scholars) because maybe her ‘iddah ended when she miscarried. What is the ruling on that? Answer Praise be to Allaah.  The scholars are agreed that the ‘iddah of a divorced woman who is pregnant ends when the pregnancy ends, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their ‘Iddah (prescribed period) is until they lay down their burden” [al-Talaaq 65:4] They are also agreed that if a woman miscarries a foetus in which human features are apparent, her ‘iddah ends at that point. (al-Mughni 11/229). The h...

Question My husband divorced me while I was pregnant than before I gave birth to my child he came back and said that we are not divorced since pregnant women can’t be divorced.  So I would like to know am I really divorced or not.  My husband and I love each other very much and now we have a baby son.  Please do reply to me as soon as possible. Answer Praise be to Allaah. Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked whether a woman may be divorced by talaaq when she is pregnant. He said: This is an idea which is common among some people. Some of the people think that a pregnant woman cannot be divorced by talaaq. I do not know where they get this idea from, for it has no basis in the words of the scholars. Rather the view of all the scholars is that a pregnant woman can be divorced by talaaq. There is consensus on this point among the scholars, and there is no dispute. Talaaq according to the Sunnah means that a woman may be divorced in two cases:...

Question Is it better Islamically for a pregnant Muslim woman to fast or not fast in the month of Ramadan?. Answer Praise be to Allaah.  A pregnant woman is obliged to fast, just like anyone else, unless she fears for herself or for her baby, in which case it is permissible for her not to fast. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, concerning the verse (interpretation of the meaning):  “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)” [al-Baqarah 2:184] “This was a concession granted to old men and old women who are able to fast but it is difficult, so they are allowed not to fast, and must feed one poor person for each day; and for those who are sick or pregnant, if they fear for their children, so they are allowed not to fast and must feed (one poor person for each day).” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2317; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irw...

Question Can a pregnant woman break her fast in Ramadan if she feels a bit tired?. Answer Praise be to Allaah. It should be noted that not every kind of tiredness or hardship is regarded as an excuse which makes it permissible not to fast in Ramadaan, because fasting is not free of some tiredness and hardship, but in most cases it is a small-scale, ordinary kind of hardship. Based on this, if a pregnant woman feels a little bit tired, one of the following two scenarios must apply: 1 – when she feels a little tired but it does not cause intense, extraordinary hardship, and she does not fear for herself or her unborn child. In this case she is obliged to fast and it is not permissible for her to break the fast. 2 – when the hardship experienced is severe and she fears that she or her unborn child may be harmed. In this case it is better for her not to fast, and that may be obligatory for her. The fact that a pregnant woman is permitted not to fast is indicated by the...