The Rulings of Ramadan: A Comprehensive Guideline

14. AL-QADAA: (Making up the issued days of Fasting)

It is not compulsory (waajib) to make up the missed days of Ramadaan immediately. The compulsion to make it up is as one is able to as ''Aaeisha (R) said: "I used to have to make up for some of the Fast of Ramadaan and I would not be able to do it until the following Sha'baan." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Al Hafidh ibn Hajar said: "In this hadeeth there is proof to indicate that it is allowed to delay the making up of the missed days of fasting for an indefinite time be it that there is a reason for not making it up or not."

However, it is known that it is preferred to make it up as early as possible because of many proofs to indicate that the muslim must hasten to do good and not postpone it for later. Allah (T) said, which means:

{And be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise which is as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the Muttaqeen (Allaah-fearing.} [Aali 'Imraan 3:133]

And Allah (T) also said, which means:

{It is these who race for the good deeds and they are foremost in them} [Muminoon 23:61]

It is also not compulsory to make up the missed days on successive days. Allaah (T) said, which means:

{... but if you are ill, or on a journey, the same number (of days should be made up) from other days ...} [Al - Baqarah 2:183]

Ibn Abbaas said: "There is nothing wrong if someone separates (between the days he has to make up)." [Daarqutnee]

The scholars of this Deen agree that if someone is unable to fast, then he should feed one poor person for everyday he misses and that no one should fast on his behalf during his lifetime. However, whoever dies and had an oath to fast that which he did not fulfill, then his wali (guardian, offspring) must fast on his behalf. This is established from the messenger of Allah (S) who said: "Whoever dies and there are some fast that he did not fast, then his wali must fast for him." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Whoever dies and he had some fast for an oath that he did not yet do, then it is allowed for the same amount of people to fast for the same amount of days that he has to make up for.