Missed Fasts Qada and Kaffarah Explained

Missed Fasts Qada and Kaffarah Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Fasting (Sawm) during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it an essential obligation for every adult and capable Muslim. However, there are times when a person may be unable to fast due to illness, travel, menstruation, pregnancy, or other valid reasons. In such cases, Islam provides two primary compensatory measures: Qada (قضاء) and Kaffarah (كفارة).

Qada refers to making up missed fasts at a later date for those who had a legitimate excuse. It ensures that a person fulfills their religious duty without incurring sin. Kaffarah, on the other hand, is a more serious form of expiation, required when someone deliberately breaks their fast without a valid excuse. The penalty involves either fasting for 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people, highlighting the seriousness of breaking a fast intentionally.

This article explores the rulings of Qada and Kaffarah, supported by Quranic and Hadith references in both Arabic and English. By understanding these rulings, Muslims can ensure that they compensate correctly for missed fasts while maintaining the spiritual integrity of fasting as an act of worship and devotion to Allah (SWT).

The Obligation of Fasting in the Quran

Allah (SWT) has clearly commanded fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah:

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

(سورة البقرة، 2:183)

“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

This verse establishes fasting as a religious obligation for Muslims. However, Allah (SWT) also acknowledges that some people may not be able to fast and provides exceptions in the following verse:

فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

(سورة البقرة، 2:184)

“But if any of you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who can fast with hardship – a ransom [as a substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

This verse introduces two key rulings:

• Those who are unable to fast due to illness or travel must make up their fast later (Qada).
• Those who cannot fast at all due to chronic conditions or extreme hardship should give compensation (Fidya).

What is Qada (Making Up Missed Fasts)?

Qada refers to the obligation of fasting missed Ramadan fasts at a later date. It applies to those who have a valid excuse for not fasting.

Who Must Perform Qada?

• The Sick:
  If a person is too ill to fast, they are allowed to break their fast and make it up later.

• The Traveler:
  A traveler can choose to fast or postpone the fast until after Ramadan.

• Women During Menstruation and Postpartum Bleeding:
  A woman is required to make up the missed fasts after Ramadan.

• Pregnant and Nursing Women:
  If fasting poses a risk to the mother or baby, the fast may be postponed. Some scholars say pregnant and nursing women must make up the fast later, while others say they can pay fidya.

• Those Who Break Their Fast Due to a Valid Reason:
  For example, if someone begins fasting but then becomes extremely ill and has to eat or drink, they must make up the fast later.

Hadith on Qada

Aisha (RA) said:

كَانَ يُصِيبُنَا ذَلِكَ فَنُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّوْمِ وَلَا نُؤْمَرُ بِقَضَاءِ الصَّلاَةِ

(صحيح مسلم، 335)

“When we (women) had our menstruation during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), we were commanded to make up the fasts, but we were not commanded to make up the prayers.”
(Sahih Muslim, 335)

This Hadith confirms that missed fasts due to menstruation must be made up later.

What is Kaffarah (Expiation for Breaking a Fast)?

Kaffarah refers to the penalty for deliberately breaking a fast without a valid excuse.

Who Must Perform Kaffarah?

• Anyone Who Breaks Their Fast Without a Valid Reason:
  If someone eats, drinks, or engages in marital relations intentionally during fasting hours, they must perform Kaffarah.

• Breaking the Fast Due to Intentional Acts:
  This includes deliberately eating or drinking without necessity or engaging in acts that invalidate fasting, such as intimacy.

Hadith on Kaffarah

The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding a man who had intercourse with his wife during Ramadan:

أَعْتِقْ رَقَبَةً، قَالَ لاَ أَجِدُهَا، قَالَ فَصُمْ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ، قَالَ لاَ أَسْتَطِيعُ، قَالَ فَأَطْعِمْ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا

(صحيح البخاري، 1936)

“Free a slave.” The man replied, “I cannot find one.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then fast for two consecutive months.” The man said, “I cannot do that.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then feed sixty poor people.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 1936)

This Hadith establishes the three options for Kaffarah:

• Freeing a slave
• Fasting two consecutive months
• Feeding sixty poor people

Since slavery no longer exists, the second and third options apply today.

Difference Between Qada and Kaffarah

How to Perform Qada and Kaffarah

When a person misses a fast due to a valid reason, they must perform Qada (قضاء) by fasting on another day after Ramadan. It is recommended to make up missed fasts as soon as possible before the next Ramadan arrives. The fast must be kept from dawn to sunset, just like a regular Ramadan fast, with the intention of making up for the missed day.

For those who deliberately break their fast without a valid excuse, they must perform Kaffarah (كفارة), which is a more serious expiation. Kaffarah requires one of the following:

• Fasting for 60 consecutive days – If a person starts but is unable to complete it due to a valid reason, they must restart from the beginning.
• Feeding 60 poor people – This involves providing each person with a full meal or its equivalent in food or money.

If a person is physically unable to fast for 60 days, they should opt for feeding the poor as compensation. These rules ensure that the sanctity of fasting is upheld while allowing for repentance and corrective actions in cases of negligence.

Conclusion

Fasting is a fundamental act of worship in Islam, but Allah, in His infinite mercy, has provided concessions for those who are unable to fast due to valid reasons. The concepts of Qada (making up missed fasts) and Kaffarah (expiation for deliberately breaking a fast) ensure that every Muslim can fulfill their obligation in a way that aligns with their circumstances.

Qada is a simple yet necessary requirement for those who miss fasts due to illness, travel, pregnancy, or menstruation. It allows them to complete their duty at a later time without incurring sin. On the other hand, Kaffarah is a more serious penalty imposed on those who break their fast intentionally without a valid excuse. The strict conditions of fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people emphasize the sacredness of fasting and discourage negligence.

These rulings demonstrate the justice, wisdom, and mercy of Islam. While fasting is a great act of devotion and discipline, Islam does not impose undue hardship on anyone. Every Muslim should strive to observe their fasts with sincerity and devotion, while also ensuring they fulfill any missed obligations promptly. May Allah accept our fasting, grant us sincerity in our worship, and forgive our shortcomings.