Rules and Rulings on Delaying the Make-Up of Missed Fasts
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ‘Abd al-Salām حفظه الله
What is the ruling for a person who misses a fast of Ramadan due to a valid excuse and does not make it up until the arrival of the next Ramadan?
A man missed one day of fasting in Ramadan 92 AH and did not make it up until the arrival of Ramadan 93 AH.
Ruling:
If he neglected the qadā’ out of carelessness until the next Ramadan arrived, then he must:
① Make up the missed fast.
② Feed one poor person for each delayed day with half a ṣā‘ (approximately 1.25 kg) of wheat, or another staple food commonly eaten in his country.
Note:
If the delay was due to a valid excuse, such as illness or weakness that prevented making up the fast, then feeding the poor is not obligatory; only the qadā’ fast must be observed.
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ‘Abd al-Salām حفظه الله
Question
What is the ruling for a person who misses a fast of Ramadan due to a valid excuse and does not make it up until the arrival of the next Ramadan?
Answer
- If a person delays making up a missed fast due to a valid excuse — such as illness — then upon regaining the ability, only the qadā’ (make-up) fast is obligatory, without any additional penalty.
- However, if a person delays the qadā’ without any valid excuse, then such action is incorrect, and in addition to the qadā’ fast, feeding one poor person for each delayed day is also obligatory.
Example Case
A man missed one day of fasting in Ramadan 92 AH and did not make it up until the arrival of Ramadan 93 AH.
Ruling:
If he neglected the qadā’ out of carelessness until the next Ramadan arrived, then he must:
① Make up the missed fast.
② Feed one poor person for each delayed day with half a ṣā‘ (approximately 1.25 kg) of wheat, or another staple food commonly eaten in his country.
Note:
If the delay was due to a valid excuse, such as illness or weakness that prevented making up the fast, then feeding the poor is not obligatory; only the qadā’ fast must be observed.
