This excerpt is taken from the book of Fadhilat al-Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him, Ahkam wa Masail Ramadan.
How do I make up for the fasts of the past years?
Question:.
I am a twenty-three-year-old young man, and my father encouraged me to fast at the age of fifteen. At that time, I would sometimes fast and sometimes not, as I was unaware of the true meaning of fasting. However, after reaching maturity and gaining more awareness, I started fasting every Ramadan, and الحمد للہ I have not missed a single fast in any Ramadan. Now my question is, is it obligatory for me to make up for the fasts of the past years, and how many days of fasting are necessary for me? Please note that I started fasting regularly from the age of eighteen.
Fatwa:.
When a person reaches the age of fifteen, it becomes necessary for them to fulfill religious obligations because reaching this age is a sign of maturity. Therefore, this person who has been negligent in fasting after reaching maturity has abandoned a duty. Consequently, it is obligatory for them to make up for the days they missed during all the months of Ramadan that passed before their repentance, and their excuse for being unaware of this legal ruling will not be accepted. Thus, in addition to making up for all the missed days, it is also necessary for them to feed a poor person for each day missed. If they do not know the exact number of missed fasts, they should fast with caution and estimation until they are certain that the obligation they had is fulfilled.
