One of the most practically important questions a Muslim can ask after Ramadan is: "I missed some fasts — what do I do now?" The answer depends on two factors: why the fasts were missed, and whether there is a reasonable expectation of being able to make them up. Getting this right is essential, because the wrong choice — paying Fidya when you should make up the fasts, or vice versa — means the religious obligation is not fulfilled.
This article provides a clear decision framework for any Muslim who has missed Ramadan fasts, based on the consensus of the four schools of jurisprudence and contemporary fatwa bodies.
The Decision Framework
For every missed fast, ask yourself two questions:
- Why was the fast missed? Was it for a valid sharia excuse (illness, travel, menstruation, etc.), or was it without a valid excuse (negligence, forgetfulness that constitutes negligence, deliberate breaking)?
- Can you reasonably expect to make up the fast? Are you physically able to fast on other days, or is your condition permanent/terminal with no expectation of recovery?
The answer to these two questions determines your obligation:
| Why missed? | Can make up? | Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Valid excuse (illness, travel, menstruation) | Yes | Qada' (make up the fasts) |
| Valid excuse, but condition is permanent | No | Fidya (one meal per missed fast) |
| No valid excuse (negligence) | Yes | Qada' (and repentance) |
| Intentionally broke without excuse | Yes | Kaffarah (60 fasts or 60 poor fed) + qada' (majority view) |
| No valid excuse, now permanently unable | No | Fidya + repentance (debated — consult scholar) |
Detailed Scenarios
Scenario 1: Temporary illness
You had the flu, a recoverable surgery, or another temporary illness during Ramadan and missed 5 fasts. You have now recovered.
Obligation: Make up the 5 fasts (qada'). You may do this at any time before the next Ramadan, though it is recommended to do so as soon as possible. No Fidya is owed.
Scenario 2: Travel
You traveled for work during Ramadan and missed 7 fasts. You took the travel concession (which is permitted) but did not fast on travel days.
Obligation: Make up the 7 fasts (qada'). No Fidya is owed. The travel concession excuses you from fasting on travel days but does not eliminate the obligation — you must make the days up later.
Scenario 3: Menstruation or postpartum bleeding
You are a woman who missed 8 fasts due to menstruation or postpartum bleeding.
Obligation: Make up the 8 fasts (qada'). No Fidya is owed. This is the consensus of all four schools.
Scenario 4: Pregnancy or nursing (in the majority view)
You are a pregnant or nursing woman who broke fasts out of concern for your own or your child's health.
Obligation (majority view): Make up the fasts (qada'). No Fidya. The majority position (Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali, and dominant Shafi'i view) treats pregnancy and nursing like temporary illness — the fasts are made up later.
Obligation (minority view, attributed to Ibn Abbas and Ibn Umar): Pay Fidya in addition to making up the fasts. This is the position of some Shafi'i and Hanbali scholars. If you follow this view, use our Fidya Calculator.
Scenario 5: Chronic illness with no expectation of recovery
You have advanced diabetes, severe kidney disease, or another chronic condition. Your doctor has advised that fasting is medically unsafe and that your condition is unlikely to improve.
Obligation: Pay Fidya for each missed fast. You are not required to make up the fasts — Fidya replaces them. Use our Fidya Calculator to compute the amount.
Scenario 6: Terminal illness
You are terminally ill with a limited life expectancy. Fasting would be physically harmful.
Obligation: Pay Fidya for each missed fast. If you recover unexpectedly, fast the missed days and treat the Fidya as voluntary charity (sadaqah).
Scenario 7: Old age with permanent weakness
You are elderly and your frailty makes fasting physically harmful. You are not expected to regain the strength to fast.
Obligation: Pay Fidya for each missed fast annually.
Scenario 8: Negligent missing of fasts (now able to fast)
Out of laziness or worldly preoccupation, you missed 10 fasts in Ramadan without a valid excuse. You are now physically able to fast.
Obligation: Make up the 10 fasts (qada'). Sincerely repent to Allah for the negligence. Some scholars also recommend paying a Fidya-like amount as voluntary charity, though this is not strictly required. The majority view does not require Kaffarah for mere non-fasting — Kaffarah is for actively breaking a fast that had been started.
Scenario 9: Intentionally broke a fast (eating or drinking)
You started a Ramadan fast but later intentionally ate a meal or drank water, without a valid excuse.
Obligation: Kaffarah (60 consecutive fasts, or feeding 60 poor persons if fasting is impossible) AND qada' (make up the one broken fast). This is the majority view. The Hanafi school holds that the Kaffarah alone suffices and qada' is not additionally required.
Scenario 10: Intentionally broke a fast (sexual intercourse)
You started a Ramadan fast but later had sexual intercourse with your spouse, intentionally and without a valid excuse.
Obligation: Same as Scenario 9 — Kaffarah (60 fasts or 60 poor fed) plus qada'. This is the case explicitly addressed in the hadith of the man who came to the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Scenario 11: Missed fasts from past years, never made up, now permanently unable
You accumulated missed fasts over many years (due to illness, travel, or negligence) and never made them up. You are now elderly or chronically ill and cannot fast.
Obligation: Pay Fidya for all the missed fasts you were unable to make up. Estimate the number as accurately as possible and calculate the total Fidya. If the missed fasts were due to negligence (rather than a valid excuse), some scholars require additional expiation for the delay — consult a scholar.
When Should You Make Up the Fasts?
If you owe qada' (make-up fasts), the dominant view is that you should make them up before the next Ramadan. Delaying beyond the next Ramadan is sinful according to the majority, though the fasts remain owed. Some scholars permit delaying if there is a continued valid excuse (e.g., chronic illness that prevented making up the fasts).
The recommended practice is to make up the fasts as soon as possible — within the month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan) if you are able, or spread throughout the year. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was reported to fast the make-up fasts of Aisha in Shawwal.
You may make up the fasts on any day except:
- The two Eids (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha)
- The three days of Tashriq (11th, 12th, 13th of Dhul-Hijjah)
- (According to some scholars) Fridays alone, unless you fast Thursday or Saturday with it
Can You Make Up Multiple Fasts Consecutively?
Yes. There is no requirement to spread out the make-up fasts. You may fast them consecutively if you wish. For example, if you owe 10 fasts, you may fast 10 consecutive days to fulfill the obligation efficiently.
The only exception is Kaffarah fasting — which must be 60 consecutive days, with strict rules about breaks in the sequence (see our article on Kaffarah for details).
What If You Die Before Making Up the Fasts?
If a Muslim dies owing qada' fasts that they were physically able to make up but did not, the dominant view is that:
- An heir may fast on their behalf (according to a hadith reported by Bukhari).
- Or, an heir may pay Fidya from the deceased's estate for each missed fast.
- If neither is done, the deceased is owed the prayers of the living and the mercy of Allah.
If the deceased was permanently unable to fast and owed Fidya, the Fidya should be paid from their estate before the inheritance is distributed. This is a debt owed to Allah, treated like other debts.
Practical Workflow
For any Muslim who has missed fasts, here is a practical workflow:
- List every missed fast and the reason it was missed.
- For each missed fast, determine: Was the reason a valid excuse? Was the condition temporary or permanent?
- Classify each missed fast: Qada' required, Fidya required, or Kaffarah required.
- For qada' fasts: Schedule them as soon as possible. Mark your calendar.
- For Fidya: Calculate the amount using our Fidya Calculator. Distribute to the poor.
- For Kaffarah: Begin the 60-day fast immediately, or calculate the feeding of 60 poor using our Kaffarah Calculator.
- Repent sincerely for any deliberate violations or negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make up fasts on behalf of a deceased relative?
Yes, according to the dominant view. The hadith of the woman who fasted on behalf of her deceased mother (reported by Bukhari and Muslim) establishes this permission. You may also pay Fidya from your own wealth on behalf of a deceased relative who owed missed fasts.
Do I need to make up fasts missed due to severe depression or mental illness?
If the depression or mental illness was severe enough to constitute a medical condition that prevented fasting, the dominant view treats it like physical illness: make up the fasts when able. If the condition is chronic and unlikely to improve, Fidya may be appropriate. Consult a scholar for your specific situation.
I missed fasts due to negligence years ago and never made them up. What do I do?
Make up the fasts if you are now able. If you are permanently unable, pay Fidya. Repent sincerely for the delay. Some scholars recommend paying additional charity as an expiation for the delay, though this is debated.
Can I pay Fidya instead of making up fasts if I find qada' inconvenient?
No. Convenience is not a valid reason to substitute Fidya for qada'. Fidya is only for those who physically cannot make up the fasts. If you are able, even if it is inconvenient, you must make up the fasts.
Conclusion
The decision between qada' (make-up fasting) and Fidya is straightforward in principle: if you can make up the fasts, you must; if you permanently cannot, pay Fidya. The complications arise in borderline cases — chronic illness that may or may not improve, accumulated missed fasts from past years, pregnancy and nursing — where scholarly guidance is needed.
For most Muslims, the path is clear. Identify your missed fasts, classify them correctly, and fulfill the obligation. Use our calculators to handle the math, and consult a scholar for personal rulings on complex medical or family situations. Above all, do not delay — the obligation is owed, and delay only compounds it.