This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
When should missed fasts be made up?
Answer:
For those who have missed Ramadan fasts, it is better to make up the fasts consecutively; however, it is also permissible to complete the makeup fasts intermittently before the next Ramadan. If a person observes six fasts of Shawwal before making up the Ramadan fasts, there is no harm in that either.
❀ Allah Almighty says:
فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
"Complete the count of the days (of fasting) and fast (the prescribed days)."
Reference: (Al-Baqarah: 185)
❀ Allama Ubaidullah Mubarakpuri (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (1414 AH)
states under this verse:إنه أمر بالقضاء مطلقا عن وقت معين فلا يجوز تقييده ببعض الأوقات إلا بدليل
"The ruling of making up fasts is given without specifying any particular time, so it is not permissible to restrict it to any specific time without evidence."
Reference: (Mir'at al-Mafatih: 7/23)
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:
كان يكون علي الصوم من رمضان فما أستطيع أن أقضي إلا في شعبان
"If I had to make up Ramadan fasts, I could not have observed them before Sha'ban."
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1950, Sahih Muslim: 1146)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (463 AH)
says:"The delay in making up Ramadan fasts by Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is evidence that there is leniency in making up fasts and that delay is permissible; moreover, this narration indicates that the limit for delay is the month of Sha'ban."
Reference: (Al-Tamhid li ma fi al-Muwatta min al-Ma'ani wal-Asanid: 23/149)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (852 AH)
states:"This hadith proves that it is permissible to delay making up Ramadan fasts absolutely, whether due to an excuse or without an excuse."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 4/190)
❀ He also says:
"From the apparent wording of Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him), it seems that he considered leniency and intervals permissible in making up fasts, because he mentioned narrations in the introduction to the chapter according to his methodology, which is also the position of the majority."
Reference: (Fath al-Bari: 4/189)
❀ Allama Ubaidullah Mubarakpuri (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (1414 AH)
states:"This hadith is evidence for the majority that it is not necessary to make up Ramadan fasts immediately, because if delay in making up fasts was prohibited, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would not have allowed Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) to delay. However, it is recommended to make up the fasts as soon as possible, because hastening in obedience and good deeds is preferable."
Reference: (Mir'at al-Mafatih: 7/23)
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says:
لا يضرك كيف قضيتها إنما هي عدة من أيام أخر فأحصه
"There is no harm to you; make up the fasts as you wish, only complete the count of the days (of Ramadan fasts)."
Reference: (Taghleeq al-Ta'leeq li Ibn Hajar: 3/186, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah and Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) say:
فرقه إذا أحصيته
"When you complete the count, there is no harm in intervals."
Reference: (Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2/193, and its chain is Hasan)
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
يواتره إن شاء
"You may fast intermittently."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
Regarding Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
إنه كان لا يرى به بأسا ويقول إنما قال الله فعدة من أيام أخر
"He did not consider any harm in intervals or delay and said that Allah Almighty only mentioned completing the count of the days."
Reference: (Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi: 4/258, and its chain is authentic)
When Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about making up Ramadan fasts, he said:
إن الله لم يرخص لكم في فطره وهو لا يريد أن يشق عليكم في قضائه فأحص العدة واصنع ما شئت
"Allah Almighty did not permit leaving the fast to burden you in making up; complete the count as you wish."
Reference: (Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2/191, Al-Sunan al-Kubra lil Bayhaqi: 4/258, and its chain is Hasan)
❀ Sayyiduna Muadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
فرق قضاء رمضان وأحص العدة
"Make up Ramadan fasts with intervals but complete the count (of the days)."
Reference: (Sunan al-Daraqutni: 2/192, and its chain is Hasan)
❀ Hukam bin Utaybah (may Allah have mercy on him) did not consider any harm in making up Ramadan fasts with intervals.
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/33, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Ja'far bin Maymun (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
قضاه رمضان عدة من أيام أخر
"It is necessary to complete the count of the days in making up Ramadan fasts."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/33, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Urwah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
يواتر قضاء رمضان
"One can make up Ramadan fasts intermittently."
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
Warning:
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما says about making up missed fasts of Ramadan:
يتابع بينه
“Fast continuously.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Saeed bin Musayyib رحمه الله says:
يقضيه كهياته
“Make up the fasts in the same way as they were missed.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Qasim bin Muhammad رحمه الله says:
صمه متتابعا إلا أن يقطع بك كما قطع بك فيه
“Make up the fasts consecutively, except if the same condition that caused the missing occurs again.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
In the light of the understanding of the Salaf, these statements are to be taken as recommending (mustahabb).
❀ Ata bin Abi Rabah رحمه الله says:
يقضيه متتابعا أحب إلي وإن فرق أجزأه
“I prefer that the missed fasts of Ramadan be made up consecutively, but a break in between is also permissible.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/35, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Muhammad bin Sirin رحمه الله says:
أحب إلي أن يصومه كما أفطره
“I prefer that the fasts be made up in the same way as they were missed.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Hukm bin Utaybah رحمه الله says:
“I prefer making up the fasts consecutively.”
Reference: (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/34, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Ishaq bin Mansur Kusaj رحمه الله says:
قلت قضاء رمضان قال لا بأس به متفرقا قال إسحاق كما قال والتتابع أفضل
“I asked (Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله) about making up Ramadan fasts, he said: There is no harm in making up the fasts intermittently. Ishaq bin Rahwayh رحمه الله says: My position is the same, but fasting continuously is preferable.”
Reference: (Masa’il al-Kusaj: 707)
❀ Salih bin Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله says:
أنكر أبي على من يقول لا يجزئه إلا متتابع
“My father Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رحمه الله rejected those who say that making up Ramadan fasts must only be done continuously.”
Reference: (Masa’il Salih: 920)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir رحمه الله
Reference: (774 AH)
says:“(Making up Ramadan fasts) is not necessary to be done continuously; rather, one may do it intermittently or continuously. This is the position of the majority of the Salaf and Khalaf. There are evidences for this because fasting continuously is obligatory during the month of Ramadan, but after Ramadan ends it is not obligatory. Therefore, making up the remaining fasts means fasting for the number of days left. That is why Allah Almighty said: ﴿فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾ ‘Complete the number (of days) and glorify Allah.’ Then He said: ﴿يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ﴾ ‘Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship.’”
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 1/504)
❀ Muhaddith Albani رحمه الله
Reference: (1420 AH)
says:“The conclusion is that there is no authentic Marfu’ hadith regarding whether to make up fasts with breaks or continuously. The correct view is that both methods are permissible as Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه stated.”
Reference: (Irwa’ al-Ghalil: 4/97)
Making up Ramadan fasts consecutively is mustahabb (recommended), not obligatory. Declaring consecutive making up as obligatory is baseless and not supported by the righteous Salaf.
❀ Allama Ibn Battal رحمه الله
Reference: (449 AH)
says:أجمع أهل العلم على أن من قضى ما عليه من رمضان في شعبان بعده أنه مؤد لفرضه غير مفرط
“There is consensus among the scholars that whoever makes up the missed fasts of Ramadan in the following Sha’ban has fulfilled his obligation and is not sinful.”
Reference: (Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari: 4/95)
Question:
If a woman did not make up the missed fasts of the previous Ramadan and the next Ramadan has started, what should she do?
Answer:
It is necessary to make up the missed fasts of Ramadan before the next Ramadan begins; exceeding this time is not permissible. Therefore, if someone has not made up the missed fasts by the next Ramadan, she should repent and after Ramadan, make up the missed fasts of both months.
