Source: Urdu Sharh ‘Umdah al-Aḥkām, translated by Ḥāfiẓ Fayzullah Nāṣir
📌 Ḥadīth No. 6: Narrated by ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها)
She said:
“I used to have missed fasts from Ramadan, but I could not make them up except in Shaʿbān.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1950 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1146]
📝 Explanation of the Ḥadīth:
- This narration indicates that the time frame for making up missed Ramadan fasts is flexible, and one may complete them at any time before the next Ramadan arrives.
- However, it is not recommended to delay until Shaʿbān unless there is a valid excuse, as it brings one dangerously close to the beginning of the next Ramadan.
- The scholars stress that delaying beyond Shaʿbān — without a valid reason — is blameworthy, and some even consider expiation (kaffārah) obligatory in such a case.
⚠️ Important Note:
- Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) mentioned household responsibilities as her reason for delay, which was a valid excuse.
- This ḥadīth is also used by scholars to demonstrate the leniency and compassion in the laws of qadaʾ (making up missed fasts), provided they are fulfilled before the next Ramadan.
