Shar‘i Permission for Missing Fasts in Ramadan
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (Hafizahullah)❖ Who Is Permitted to Miss Fasts in Ramadan?
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. However, the Qur’an and Hadith mention certain conditions under which a person is exempted from fasting, either temporarily or permanently.
Some of these individuals are required to make up missed fasts (qaḍāʾ), while others must give fidya (compensation) in place of fasting.
➊ The Sick Person
Allah Almighty says:
"فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)
"So whoever among you is ill...then he should make up [the missed fasts] on other days."
A sick person may delay fasting and later make it up when health is restored.➋ The Traveller
Travelers are also allowed to skip fasting if it poses difficulty and may make up the missed fasts later.
"فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)
The same ruling applies: missed fasts must be compensated after Ramadan.➌ The Elderly and Physically Weak
Those who are very old and frail, and have no hope of regaining the strength to fast in the future, are permitted to skip fasting. However, they are required to give fidya:
"وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ"
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)
"Those who are able [but with great difficulty] must feed a needy person [in place of each fast]."
Fidya = Feeding one poor person per missed fast.➍ Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
If there is a genuine concern for the mother’s or child’s health, fasting can be postponed. However, qaḍāʾ (make-up fasts) must be observed later.
Hadith:
"Allah has exempted the traveler from fasting and half the prayer, and has exempted the pregnant and nursing woman from fasting."
(Sunan al-Nasa’i: 2274)
➎ Women in Menstruation (Ḥayḍ) or Postnatal Bleeding (Nifās)
Women experiencing menstrual or postnatal bleeding are not allowed to fast during that time.
Hadith:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Is it not true that when a woman is menstruating, she neither prays nor fasts?”
(Sahih Bukhari: 1951)
Making up the missed fasts after Ramadan is obligatory for them.➏ People in Severe or Risky Labor Conditions
Workers involved in extremely strenuous and life-threatening tasks, such as:
- Mining
- Active military duty
- Heavy physical labor
may skip fasting if it endangers their life, and make up the missed fasts later.
Summary Table: Qaḍāʾ vs. Fidya
| Category | Qaḍāʾ Required | Fidya Required |
|---|---|---|
| Sick Person | ✔ Yes |  No |
| Traveler | ✔ Yes | No |
| Pregnant Woman | ✔ Yes | No |
| Nursing Mother | ✔ Yes | No |
| Menstruating or Postnatal Woman | ✔ Yes | No |
| Elderly / Chronically Ill (no recovery) | No | ✔ Yes |
Conclusion
These legal concessions are a mercy from Allah to His servants.
Anyone who fits these categories may lawfully skip fasting during Ramadan without sin.
However, those who do not meet these conditions must observe the fasts, and it is impermissible to abandon fasting without a valid excuse.
May Allah grant us ease, understanding, and steadfastness in our worship. Āmīn!
