Chapter: Clarifying the Rulings on Making Up Missed Fasts

Whoever breaks his fast in Ramadan for a lawful reason—such as the legitimate excuses that permit breaking the fast—or for an unlawful reason—like one who nullifies his fast through sexual intercourse or the like—must make up the missed days, for Allah says, “then let him make up the same number of days” 1.

It is recommended that he hasten to make them up so as to clear himself of liability, and that the makeup fasts be performed consecutively, for the replacement should mirror the original act. If he does not observe them immediately, he is nonetheless obliged to resolve firmly to do so, and he may postpone them because their timeframe is expansive; every duty with an expansive timeframe may be delayed provided one is determined to fulfil it. He may also divide the days, fasting them non-consecutively. However, if nothing of Shaʿban remains except the number of days owed, fasting them consecutively becomes obligatory by consensus because the time is tight. It is impermissible to delay them beyond the next Ramadan without a valid excuse, as ʿAʾisha (Allah be pleased with her) said: “I used to owe fasts from Ramadan, but I could not make them up except in Shaʿban because of my duties toward the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.” Agreed upon. This indicates that