Ruling on Completing Missed Ramadan Fasts After Prolonged Illness
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ‘Abd al-Salām حفظه الله
I became ill, and my condition worsened, so my brother took me to Makkah and admitted me to a hospital. My illness prolonged to the extent that another Ramadan came while I was still hospitalised. Later, I was transferred to Riyadh and admitted again, and then yet another Ramadan arrived. By then, I had recovered enough to fast, so I observed that Ramadan. However, the fasts of the previous two Ramadans remain.
My question:
The questioner is obliged to make up (qadā’) the fasts of the two missed Ramadans, because of the general statement of Allah ﷻ:
وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ [البقرة: 185]
“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then [he should fast] a number of other days.”
— al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ‘Abd al-Salām حفظه الله
Question
I became ill, and my condition worsened, so my brother took me to Makkah and admitted me to a hospital. My illness prolonged to the extent that another Ramadan came while I was still hospitalised. Later, I was transferred to Riyadh and admitted again, and then yet another Ramadan arrived. By then, I had recovered enough to fast, so I observed that Ramadan. However, the fasts of the previous two Ramadans remain.
My question:
- Am I obliged to make up the fasts of those two previous Ramadans, or should I give charity instead?
- I fast three days each month — can these count towards the missed fasts?
- Am I allowed to ask my only son (who is well-off, though unemployed, with only a rented house) to pay the charity on my behalf?
- I am very weak and unable to work or pay charity myself. What should I do?
Answer
The questioner is obliged to make up (qadā’) the fasts of the two missed Ramadans, because of the general statement of Allah ﷻ:
وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ [البقرة: 185]
“And whoever is ill or on a journey, then [he should fast] a number of other days.”
- If the three days fasted each month were intended as qadā’ for the missed fasts, then the intention is valid, and she must complete the remaining days of both months.
- If they were intended as voluntary fasts (nafl), they do not fulfil the obligation, and she must fast the full two months as make-up.
- No feeding of the poor (fidya) is required, because the delay in making up the fasts was due to illness, which is a valid excuse.
— al-Lajnah al-Dā’imah
