The passage of years without observing Sawm or making up for the missed days

Q 1: My wife has to make up for three or four months of Sawm (Fast) as she broke her Sawm during three or four months of Ramadan because of pregnancy and breastfeeding. She still breastfeeds her baby. Is she permitted to feed needy people instead of making up for these months as she finds great hardship in making up for three or four months of Ramadan that she missed?

A: There is no blame on her for delaying making up for the days of Sawm that she missed due to the hardships of pregnancy and breastfeeding. She has to hasten in making up for these days of Sawm that she missed as soon as possible. She is similar, in this case, to a person who is sick. Allah (Exalted be He) says, ...and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. (Part No. 10; Page No. 222) She is not permitted to feed needy people instead of making up for these days of Sawm.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.