Qada Fasts of Ramadan – Ruling on Continuity and Breaking a Fast Due to Ignorance
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 139
A woman had some missed fasts from Ramadan. The following month, she began making them up. One day, while keeping a qada fast, she visited relatives, who unknowingly caused her to break the fast. This broke one obligatory qada fast. In such a case, what is the ruling for her? Are qada fasts required to be continuous?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
❖ The stronger opinion is that continuity (tataabuʿ) and order are not conditions for making up missed Ramadan fasts, provided they are made up later due to a valid Sharʿi excuse.
From Anas ibn Malik (RA):
“If you wish, make up the Ramadan fasts consecutively, and if you wish, separately.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/293, H. 9115; also 3/32 – Sahih chain; al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 4/258)
From Abu ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrah (RA):
“Complete the required number, and fast in whatever manner you wish.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah H. 9133; Sunan al-Daraqutni 2/192, H. 2295; al-Sunan al-Kubra 4/258 – Hasan chain)
Similar statements are reported from Muʿadh ibn Jabal, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas, Abu Hurayrah, and the majority of the Companions (RA).
The general language of the Qur’an also supports this view.
❖ Although fasting them consecutively is better, it is not obligatory.
❖ Since her qada fast was broken due to ignorance, she must make up only that one fast on another day.
❖ No kaffarah (expiation) is required, because the fast was broken unintentionally.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa ʿIlmiyyah (Tawdih al-Ahkam), Vol. 2, p. 139Question
A woman had some missed fasts from Ramadan. The following month, she began making them up. One day, while keeping a qada fast, she visited relatives, who unknowingly caused her to break the fast. This broke one obligatory qada fast. In such a case, what is the ruling for her? Are qada fasts required to be continuous?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Ruling on Continuity in Qada Fasts
❖ The stronger opinion is that continuity (tataabuʿ) and order are not conditions for making up missed Ramadan fasts, provided they are made up later due to a valid Sharʿi excuse.
From Anas ibn Malik (RA):
“If you wish, make up the Ramadan fasts consecutively, and if you wish, separately.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 1/293, H. 9115; also 3/32 – Sahih chain; al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 4/258)
From Abu ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrah (RA):
“Complete the required number, and fast in whatever manner you wish.”
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah H. 9133; Sunan al-Daraqutni 2/192, H. 2295; al-Sunan al-Kubra 4/258 – Hasan chain)
Similar statements are reported from Muʿadh ibn Jabal, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAbbas, Abu Hurayrah, and the majority of the Companions (RA).
The general language of the Qur’an also supports this view.
Better but Not Obligatory
❖ Although fasting them consecutively is better, it is not obligatory.
Ruling for This Woman
❖ Since her qada fast was broken due to ignorance, she must make up only that one fast on another day.
❖ No kaffarah (expiation) is required, because the fast was broken unintentionally.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
