How to Complete Missed Fasts Before Ramadan

How to Complete Missed Fasts Before Ramadan

Fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and an essential act of worship for every able-bodied Muslim. However, sometimes due to illness, travel, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or other valid reasons, a person may miss some fasts. The missed fasts should ideally be made up before the next Ramadan to maintain their obligation and to fulfill this important religious duty.

In this blog post, we will explore how to properly complete missed fasts before Ramadan, including the guidelines based on Quranic teachings, Hadith, and the opinion of Islamic scholars. Additionally, we will explain the process, the etiquette, and the spiritual rewards of completing missed fasts, along with an understanding of the necessary compensations if a person cannot make up the fasts in time.

The Obligation of Making Up Missed Fasts

When a Muslim misses a fast in Ramadan due to a valid excuse, such as illness or travel, they are obligated to make up those fasts (known as Qada). If the fast is missed due to an invalid excuse, such as deliberately breaking the fast, they must repent, seek forgiveness, and make up for the missed fasts.

The Qur’an makes it clear that the obligation to fast applies to all able-bodied Muslims:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183)

This verse emphasizes that fasting is a prescribed duty. Those who are unable to fast due to valid excuses must make up for the fasts once they are able.

How to Make Up for Missed Fasts

Missed fasts should be made up before the arrival of the next Ramadan, especially if the reason for missing the fasts was a temporary one. If a person has missed fasts and has not made up for them by the time the next Ramadan approaches, they should still strive to complete them as soon as possible.

The General Method for Making Up Missed Fasts:

• Determine the Number of Missed Fasts: The first step in making up for missed fasts is to determine how many fasts need to be completed. This can be done by remembering the number of days missed or by consulting records, if applicable.

• Make the Intention (Niyyah): Before each fast, the individual must make an intention (niyyah) to fast for the purpose of making up a missed fast. This intention does not need to be verbal but should be present in the heart. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

  إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى

  “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to what they intended.”
  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1)

  This Hadith emphasizes the importance of intention in every act of worship.

• Start Fasting: The person should begin fasting from dawn (Fajr) until sunset (Maghrib) each day, as they would during the month of Ramadan. The general rules of fasting, such as abstaining from food, drink, and other invalidating actions, apply during the make-up fast.

• Prayers and Supplications: During the day of fasting, it is encouraged to engage in extra prayers, recite the Qur’an, make Dhikr, and make Du’a (supplications). These actions will not only help fulfill the obligation but will also bring spiritual rewards.

• Breaking the Fast (Iftar): As with Ramadan, the fast is broken at sunset with dates, water, or any available food, followed by the Maghrib prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

  إِذَا فَطَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَىٰ رُطَبٍ فَإِن لَمْ يَجِدْ فَعَلَىٰ تَمْرٍ فَإِن لَمْ يَجِدْ فَفَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَىٰ مَاءٍ فَإِنَّهُ طَهُورٌ

  “When one of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates; and if he does not have them, then with water, for it is purifying.”
  (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2356)

  This Hadith provides guidance on the Sunnah method of breaking the fast.

• Make Dua (Supplication) After Iftar: After breaking the fast, it is a Sunnah to make Du’a, especially before the prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged us to make supplication at this blessed time:

  لِلصَّائِمِ عِندَ فِطْرِهِ دَعْوَةٌ لَا تُرَدُّ

  “The fasting person has a supplication that is not rejected when he breaks his fast.”
  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1753)

  This is a powerful reminder that supplications during Iftar are accepted by Allah (SWT).

Special Case: Missed Fasts Due to Chronic Illness or Old Age:

For those who are unable to fast due to chronic illness or old age, and their condition is unlikely to improve, the ruling differs slightly. In these cases, scholars agree that the person is not obligated to make up the fasts (Qada) but is required to offer Fidyah (compensation) instead.

Fidyah is the act of feeding a poor person for each day of missed fasting. It involves providing a meal (equivalent to the cost of one meal) to a needy person for each fast that is missed. The meal should ideally consist of basic food, such as dates or bread, depending on what is commonly consumed in the area. The person who is unable to fast should aim to provide this food for each missed day of fasting.

The Evidence for Fidyah:

The evidence for Fidyah comes from the following Hadith:

فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ

“If any one of you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days (must be made up) later. And upon those who are able to fast, but with difficulty, they have [the option of] feeding a poor person [for every day].”
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184)

This verse from the Qur’an provides the option of feeding a poor person for each day of missed fasting for those who are unable to fast due to illness or old age.

Is it Permissible to Delay the Missed Fasts?

Ideally, missed fasts should be completed before the next Ramadan. However, if for some reason a person is unable to make up their fasts before Ramadan, they should complete them as soon as possible after the current Ramadan.

Islamic scholars agree that while it is better to complete the missed fasts before the next Ramadan, there is flexibility in cases where it is impossible or difficult to do so. However, it is not permissible to intentionally delay the missed fasts beyond Ramadan without a valid excuse.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

مَن أفْطَرَ فِي رَمَضَانَ لِعُذْرٍ فَليُقَضِ الصَّوْمَ قَبْلَ رَمَضَانَ القَابِلِ

“Whoever breaks his fast due to a valid reason (such as illness or travel), he should make up for the missed fasts before the following Ramadan comes.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1155)

The Importance of Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

If the missed fasts were due to a sin, such as deliberately breaking the fast or neglecting it, it is essential for the person to repent sincerely to Allah (SWT). Repentance includes feeling remorse for the action, seeking forgiveness from Allah, and making the intention to avoid such actions in the future.

The Qur’an provides the following guidance for repentance:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

“And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?”
(Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran, 3:135)

This verse highlights that the door to repentance is always open, and Allah is the Most Forgiving.

Making Up Missed Fasts: The Spiritual Benefits

Completing the missed fasts before the next Ramadan is not only an important religious duty, but it also carries significant spiritual benefits. Fasting strengthens one’s self-discipline, increases consciousness of Allah (SWT), and purifies the soul.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ، فَإِذَا صَامَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلَا يَرْفُثْ وَلَا يَجْهَلْ

“Fasting is a shield. So when one of you fasts, he should not behave in an obscene or ignorant manner.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1904)

Fasting is a means of purifying the body, mind, and soul. By completing the missed fasts, the Muslim cleanses their past mistakes, draws nearer to Allah (SWT), and fulfills an important obligation, which in turn enhances their faith.

Additionally, fasting in the way of Allah (SWT) brings immense rewards, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated:

كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلَّا الصَّوْمَ فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ

“Every action of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting, which is for Me, and I will reward him for it.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1905)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, completing missed fasts before the arrival of the next Ramadan is an important religious obligation for those who have valid reasons for missing their fasts. By following the guidelines outlined in the Qur’an and Hadith, Muslims can fulfill their duty while earning spiritual rewards. Making up missed fasts strengthens the relationship with Allah (SWT), purifies the soul, and serves as a means of gaining closeness to Allah.

By remembering the importance of intention, repentance, and seeking forgiveness, Muslims can approach the act of making up missed fasts with sincerity and dedication, ensuring that they observe their religious duties in the best possible way.