بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Issues Related to Making Up Missed Fasts (Qada) — In the Light of Hadith

The Qada of Obligatory Fasts May Be Performed Any Time Before the Next Ramadan:

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها says: ‘I would have missed fasts of Ramadan remaining upon me, and I would not find the opportunity to make them up until Sha‘ban.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Qada of Obligatory Fasts May Be Observed Either Separately or Consecutively:

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه said: There is no harm if the missed fasts are kept separately, because Allah Ta‘ala says:
فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ

“…and [fast] a number of other days.” (Sahih International) (Surah Al-Baqarah: 184)” (Sahih Bukhari)

The Heir Should Fast on Behalf of the Deceased Who Owed Obligatory Fasts:

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Whoever dies while owing obligatory fasts, his heir should fast on his behalf.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

It Is Not Obligatory to Make Up a Voluntary (Nafl) Fast:

“Hazrat Umm Hani رضي الله عنها says: On the day of the Conquest of Makkah, Hazrat Fatimah رضي الله عنها sat on the left side of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and I sat on his right. A maidservant brought a vessel containing a drink and gave it to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He drank from it and then gave it to me; I also drank from it and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I was fasting, but I broke my fast in order to drink what you had left.’ He ﷺ asked: ‘Was it a Qada fast?’ I replied: ‘No.’ He ﷺ said: ‘If it was a voluntary fast, then there is no harm.’” (Sunan Abu Dawood)

If a person breaks his fast before sunset due to clouds but later realizes that the sun had not yet set, then Qada becomes obligatory. Likewise, if someone eats at the time of suhoor and later realizes that true dawn (Subh Sadiq) had already begun, then Qada is obligatory in this case as well, but there is no Kaffarah.

“Hazrat Asma bint Abi Bakr رضي الله عنها says: During the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, one day we broke our fast because of clouds, and later the sun appeared. (One of the narrators said:) I asked Hisham (another narrator): ‘Were the people ordered to make up that fast?’ Hisham replied: ‘What alternative is there but to make it up?’” (Sunan Ibn Majah)