Author: Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amn Puri
If someone has vowed to observe fasts and passes away before fulfilling this vow, these fasts should be observed on their behalf by their guardian, as mentioned in the following narrations:
Imam Abu Dawud (رحمه الله) mentions this Hadith and says:
If the deceased had unfulfilled fasts of Ramadan, then fasts are not to be observed on their behalf. Instead, following the statement of Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها), for each missed fast, half a sa' or one mudd of wheat should be given as charity to a poor person.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله) holds this view as well, and Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) also shares the same stance.
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) said:
"No one should pray or fast on behalf of someone else, but should instead give one mudd of wheat for each missed fast."
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Nasa'i: 2918, with a correct chain)
Apart from vowed fasts, guardians should not observe fasts on behalf of the deceased because Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) is of the opinion that only vowed fasts should be observed on behalf of the deceased.
Conclusion:
If the deceased had vowed to fast, their guardian should fulfill these fasts on their behalf. However, if the fasts are from Ramadan, the guardian should give half a sa' or one mudd of wheat to a poor person for each missed fast.
In contradiction to the stance of the followers of the Prophet (ﷺ), Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها), and Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما), some claim:
"The guardian should not observe vowed fasts on behalf of the deceased."
(Al-Hidayah, Book of Fasting: 1/203)
Dear readers, the question is whether you will follow the Hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ) or the Hanafi jurisprudence.
If someone has vowed to observe fasts and passes away before fulfilling this vow, these fasts should be observed on their behalf by their guardian, as mentioned in the following narrations:
- Narrated by Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
- The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"من مات وعليه صيام، صام عنه وليه."
"Whoever dies with outstanding fasts, his guardian should fast on his behalf."(Sahih Bukhari: 1952, Sahih Muslim: 1147)
- The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
- Narrated by Umrah:
- Her mother passed away with some fasts of Ramadan remaining. She asked Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها) if she should make up for these fasts on her mother’s behalf. Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها) replied:
"No, rather give charity by feeding one poor person for each day with half a sa' (measure) of wheat."(Mushkil al-Athar al-Tahawi: 3/142, with a correct chain, Al-Muhalla Ibn Hazm: 7/4, and this is his wording with a correct chain)
- Her mother passed away with some fasts of Ramadan remaining. She asked Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها) if she should make up for these fasts on her mother’s behalf. Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها) replied:
Imam Abu Dawud (رحمه الله) mentions this Hadith and says:
- "This refers to vowed fasts, and it is the view of Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله)."(Sunan Abi Dawud, under Hadith: 2400)
- A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: O Messenger of Allah! My mother has died, and she had an obligation of fasting for a month. Should I make it up on her behalf? The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Yes, for the debt owed to Allah has more right to be fulfilled."(Sahih Bukhari: 1953, Sahih Muslim: 1148)
- Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
- Saad ibn Ubadah (رضي الله عنه) asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for a ruling, saying: My mother has died, and she had vowed to fast. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Fulfill it on her behalf."(Sahih Bukhari: 2761, Sahih Muslim: 1638)
- Saad ibn Ubadah (رضي الله عنه) asked the Prophet (ﷺ) for a ruling, saying: My mother has died, and she had vowed to fast. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
- Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
- When asked about a person who died with outstanding vowed fasts, he said:
"The vowed fasts should be observed on their behalf."(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 1/25/4, with a correct chain)
- When asked about a person who died with outstanding vowed fasts, he said:
If the deceased had unfulfilled fasts of Ramadan, then fasts are not to be observed on their behalf. Instead, following the statement of Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها), for each missed fast, half a sa' or one mudd of wheat should be given as charity to a poor person.
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (رحمه الله) holds this view as well, and Imam Bukhari (رحمه الله) also shares the same stance.
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) said:
"No one should pray or fast on behalf of someone else, but should instead give one mudd of wheat for each missed fast."
(Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Nasa'i: 2918, with a correct chain)
Apart from vowed fasts, guardians should not observe fasts on behalf of the deceased because Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) is of the opinion that only vowed fasts should be observed on behalf of the deceased.
Conclusion:
If the deceased had vowed to fast, their guardian should fulfill these fasts on their behalf. However, if the fasts are from Ramadan, the guardian should give half a sa' or one mudd of wheat to a poor person for each missed fast.
In contradiction to the stance of the followers of the Prophet (ﷺ), Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها), and Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما), some claim:
"The guardian should not observe vowed fasts on behalf of the deceased."
(Al-Hidayah, Book of Fasting: 1/203)
Dear readers, the question is whether you will follow the Hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ) or the Hanafi jurisprudence.