Can I fast if I become pure after Zuhr?

Question

Can a woman fast if her menstruation ends after Zuhr, without having made the intention before Fajr?

Bottom Line

No, there is no need.

Quick Answer

If menstruation ends after Fajr, a woman cannot count that day as a fast, since the condition of fasting the entire day was not met. She will make up the missed fast later. The majority of scholars (Malikis and Shafi’is) say she may eat and drink for the rest of the day.

Key Takeaways

• Consensus: Menstruating women cannot fast, and the fast is invalid if bleeding continues past Fajr.
• She must make up that day later, but no prayer make-up is required.
• Scholarly difference: some said refrain from eating, others said no need for mercy and ease from Allah prevails.

Detailed Answer

Fasting while menstruating or during postnatal bleeding (nifaas) is not valid, by unanimous agreement of the scholars. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Is it not the case that when she menstruates she does not pray or fast?” Sahih al-Bukhari 304

Aishah (RA) also explained:

“That used to happen to us, and we were commanded to make up the fasts but not the prayers.” Muslim 335

This shows that a woman who becomes pure after Fajr cannot count that day as a fast, since fasting requires intention from the night and abstention from dawn to sunset. She must make up the day after Ramadan.

The scholars then differed:

Hanafis and Hanbalis: She should refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, out of respect for Ramadan.

Malikis and Shafi’is: She may eat and drink freely, and refraining is not required.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen preferred the latter view, saying Allah has granted mercy by not burdening her to fast a day she was not eligible to fast at its beginning.

Thus, she is free to eat and drink if her menses end after Zuhr, but she must make up the fast later.

What This Means for You

If your period ends after Fajr or even after Zuhr, you cannot fast that day. Enjoy the ease Allah has granted, and simply make up the fast after Ramadan. This is a mercy, not a shortcoming.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Hadith

1. Sahih al-Bukhari 304: Women do not fast or pray during menstruation.
2. Sahih Muslim 335: Aishah (RA) on making up fasts but not prayers.

Secondary Sources

3. Al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 18/318 — Consensus on invalidity of fasting during menstruation.
4. Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim, commentary on women’s rulings of fasting.
5. Ibn Uthaymeen, al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/344 — Preferring ease regarding eating after purity.