One day in Ramadhaan, a bitter quarrel broke out between my husband and his sister-in-law which caused a great noise. I was terrified and was pregnant in my sixth month. I therefore drank some water for fear of abortion due to this fright. I then continued ‘fasting’ until sunset. What is the ruling on breaking the fast of that day? How can I make up for it, knowing that this took place twenty years ago?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

If you thought that this fright was most likely to cause you abortion if you did not break your fasting, then breaking your fast was permissible. If it was just an illusion, then breaking the fast would not have been permissible. You have to sincerely repent to Allaah and make up for that day in both cases. Also, many scholars held that you have to feed one needy person for that day since you broke fast fearing for the fetus. Ibn Qudaamah said, "If they fear for their children, they should break their fast and feed one needy person for each day. This ruling was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, and it is the prominent opinion in the Shaafi‘i School of Fiqh."

Furthermore, you should feed one needy person – according to the opinion of the Maaliki, Shaafi‘i, and Hanbali scholars – because you delayed making up for the day while you were able to do that. We remind you to repent to Allaah The Almighty; you should have consulted the scholars immediately and not have delayed knowing the ruling of Allaah for such a long time.