Days missed from previous Ramadan must be made up for before the next Ramadan
Q: If Ramadan comes and
someone still has days of Sawm (Fasting) to make up for from the previous
Ramadan, are they considered sinful for not having made up the days before the
start of the next Ramadan? Do they have to make a Kaffarah (expiation) or not?
A: Everyone who has days to make up from previous Ramadan has
to make up for those days before the next Ramadan. They may delay making up for
them until Sha‘ban, but if the next Ramadan comes and they still have not made
up for those days, without an excuse, they are considered sinful for that. They
should make up for these days later and also feed a needy person for each missed
day. This was the Fatwa (legal opinion) given by a group of the Sahabah
(Companions of the Prophet). The required amount of food is half a Sa‘ (1 Sa‘ =
2.172 kg) of the staple food of your country to be given to some or just one
needy person for every day not fasted. If you are excused for the delay by
reason of illness or travel, you just have to make up for the Sawm; you do not
have to feed needy people. This is according to the general rule in the Saying
of Allah (may He be Glorified):Surah Al-Baqarah, (2: 185).
And whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days
which one did not observe Sawm (fast) must be made up] from other days. Allah is
the Grantor of success!
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
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