Making Up for Fasts Missed Due to Illness and Menstruation
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan
Question: I was never aware that you have to make up fasts missed (because of illness or in my case menstruation) during Ramadan until this past month. I have missed a few weeks worth of fasts over the years. If I know I had to make them up and it was sinful, I would have done so.
Do I have to pay fidya? I have low income and I don’t work due to illness. Would it be allowed if I paid in installments instead of at once?
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health states.
You do not need to pay any expiation (fidya). In the Hanafi school, fidya is due only for those that have chronic illnesses that are not likely to be cured, in which case fidya is paid instead of making up the fasts. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Maraqi Falah]
Simply estimate the number of days you missed and make a plan to make them up. They do not need to be made up consecutively, nor before next Ramadan. Take your time and space them out so you don’t burn out, but be consistent and inshaAllah you will find tawfiq in getting through them.
Also, there is no sin for missing fasts due to illness or menstruation. So relax and thank Allah for beneficial knowledge and the ability to practice that knowledge. May Allah grant you success.
And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
Related Answers:
Can I Pay Fidya for Missed Days of Fasting Due to Menses?
Brief Overview of Expiatory Payments (fidya)
Too Sick to Fast in Ramadan, Too Poor to Pay the Expiatory Payment (Fidya)
