Fatwaa ID: 825

Question:
If a woman is on her period in ramadhan does she have to wake up for sehri etc. So that other male family members think she’s fasting, and they won’t know if she’s on her period? Also is there any sin if you want people to think you’re fasting just out of shyness of not wanting anyone to know you’re on your period?
Male members like brother in law and father in law etc.
Assalamualaykum

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

1. A menstruating woman is not permitted to fast whilst on her periods. The male family members should be mature and understand this. There is no need for a menstruating woman to wake up for suhoor simply to give them the impression that she is fasting. If they cannot understand or they shame her for this, then shame on them. That being said, it is advisable that she does not eat in public or in front of those who are fasting.
2. If it is done out of shyness, then there is no sin in that. However, if it based on what is mentioned in answer 1, then such is unnecessary and should be avoided. This is a natural occurrence and there is no need to be shy about it.
3. The brother-in-law is not a mahram. The laws of hijaab and inter-gender interactions are fully applicable with him.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

08/21/1444 AH – 03/13/2023 CE | AML1-7283

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

الفتاوى السراجية (ص 165)
ولو كانت طاهرة في أول النهار ثم حاضت لم بجب التشبه. وبنبغي أن يكون أكلها مخفيا.

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