“Ironically she’s not pregnant” – M’sian Calls For an End to Shaming Pregnant Women Who Don’t Fast

During the month of Ramadan, capable Muslims all over the world reflect on themselves and learn how to live with hardships by fasting during the Holy Month.

However for some, it is unadvisable for them to fast as it could prove dangerous to their health and safety.

Twitter user @jules12anne took to the app to condemn those who shame pregnant women who don’t fast. In the tweet, the user wrote, “On Facebook, a friend of mine labelled pregnant women who don’t fast as ‘weak’. Ironically, she’s never been pregnant before.”

Kat FB ada kawan aku kecam perempuan mengandung tak puasa sebagai “lemah”. Ironinya, dia tak pernah pregnant lagi

— ?Presiden Parti Sampai Pagi ™ ? (@jules12anne) April 23, 2022

The tweet came in light of the backlash that non-Muslims and Muslim women who do not fast have received in recent weeks.

It was reported that some restaurants had imposed a ban on dine ins during fasting hours, sparking backlash from non Muslims as well as Muslim women who were unable to fast, especially those who are pregnant.

Should pregnant women even fast?

The general consensus is that every Muslim is expected to fast. However, young children, the elderly, and women who are menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding are some groups that can be exempt from fasting during Ramadan.

For illustration purpose only

Some women who have fasted during pregnancy say it is possible to fast during pregnancy without ill effects, however, if the mother’s or the child’s health is of concern, then it is a valid reason to not fast.

Some studies have shown that fasting at any point during pregnancy is not advised especially during the critical period between 22 and 27 weeks of pregnancy which is even more risky.

M’sian women advise against fasting whilst pregnant

The tweet has amassed plenty of attention and currently sits on over 2,064 likes and 839 shares. Plenty of users took to the comments section to share their thoughts on it whilst some even shared how fasting during their pregnancy resulted in some horrifying circumstances.

“Last year I fasted the first and second day then I stopped after finding out that a friend of my sibling who fasted whilst pregnant ended up losing their baby even though she felt fine,” shared a user.

Another user shared how when they tried to fast, their baby became inactive. “So I only fasted 2 days out of the whole month. As long as the baby is healthy,” added the mother.

“When I fasted last year whilst pregnant, when I went for my check up, the nurse scolded me for fasting. After that I immediately stopped. I had only found out that pregnant women are not encouraged to fast,” said a netizen.

Meanwhile, a couple of users condemned women who shamed as well as labelled pregnant women who do not fast as “weak”.

“It’s always those who have never been pregnant are the ones that say the most. But when they’re pregnant then they’re the weakest,” said a user.

Another user said, “It’s always women bashing other women like what are you going to gain from it anyways.”

What do you think of this? Should pregnant women not fast? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: M’sian Urges Muslims to be More Respectful of Ramadan & Avoid Overspending and Wasting Food