—they subsequently make up the days they missed on account of those excuses at another time.

These excuses are:

1. Menstruation and post-partum bleeding. A woman is forbidden to fast while experiencing either, and she must make up the missed days later. In the two Ṣaḥīḥs it is reported that ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “We were commanded to make up the fasts but were not commanded to make up the prayers.” This was her response when a woman asked, “Why does a menstruating woman make up the fasts but not the prayers?” ʿĀʾishah clarified that this ruling is entirely based on revelation and must simply be followed.

Wisdom behind the ruling: Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah states in Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā (25|251): “Because menstruation involves the outflow of blood, the woman is able to fast at times when no blood is exiting her body. Her fast during those days is balanced, for the blood that nourishes and strengthens the body remains within. Fasting while she is menstruating, however, causes that very sustaining blood to leave, diminishing her strength, weakening her body, and upsetting the balance of the fast. She was therefore instructed to fast at times other than menstruation.” End quote.

2. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, when fasting would harm the woman, her child, or both. In such cases she may break the fast while pregnant or nursing; then, if the harm for which she broke the fast would fall upon—