Question:
A person did not fast for two days in Ramadan 1395 AH, and Ramadan 1396 AH arrived; he did not make up those fasts. Similarly, he missed fasting for three days in Ramadan 1396 AH. In Muharram 1397 AH, he consecutively made up all these five days. Does he have to pay kaffarah (expiation)?
Answer:
If your above-mentioned breaking of fast was due to an excuse, then you are only responsible for making up the missed fasts because Allah Almighty says:
فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
“Whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then he should make up the missed days later.”
And if you broke your fast without any excuse, then you must repent along with making up the missed fasts. This is because breaking the fast in Ramadan without an excuse is not permissible. For the three days of fasting you missed in Ramadan 1396 AH, there is no expiation upon you. But for the two days you missed in Ramadan 1395 AH, if you postponed making them up until Ramadan 1396 AH without any legitimate excuse, then for each day you must feed one poor person as expiation along with making up the fast. The amount of food for each poor person is half a Sa’ of the common food of your city. This applies if your breaking the fast was not due to sexual intercourse. And if it was due to sexual intercourse, then along with making up the missed fasts, it is also necessary to pay the following expiation for each day missed:
Free a believing slave; if you cannot find one, then fast continuously for two months; if you are unable to do that, then feed sixty poor people. And the One who grants success is only Allah Almighty.
’’ اللجنۃ الدائمۃ “
