Q. Shaykh I have to make up some fasts of Ramadan, but I also want to fast the six fasts of Shawwal. Must I make up the fasts that I missed in Ramadan before I attempt the six fasts of Shawwal? A. Alhamdulillah. Scholars have differed on this issue in two broad camps. The Hanafi, Shafi`i and Maliki schools of law allowed a person to delay the fasts of Ramadan to another time, and prioritize the six of Shawwal. They argued that there is no set time limit to make up a missed fast of Ramadan; therefore, since there is no time limit, one may first fast the six of Shawwal, and then make up the missed days of Ramadan at any other time of the year. The Hanafis allowed this without any reservation (bi-dun karaha), whereas the Malikis and Shafis said that it was better to prioritize the fast of Ramadan, but not sinful (i.e., it is makruh, but acceptable, to fast the six of Shawwal before making up the missed days of Ramadan). Hence, it can be said that the majority of scholars permitted one to fast the six days of Shawwal before making up (qada) what he/she missed of Ramadan. On the other hand, the standard position of the Hanbali school (with a minority dissenting) is that it is not acceptable to fast the six of Shawwal until one has made up the the missed fasts of Ramadan. They extracted this from the hadith, Whoever fasts Ramadan, and then follows it up with six from Shawwal [shall be rewarded] as if he has fasted the entire year. They reasoned, The one who still has missing fasts has not, technically, fasted the entire month of Ramadan in the first place, so the hadith wouldnt apply to him/her unless and until he actually completes the fast of Ramadan, including the missed days. So, both opinions have legitimacy to them; however, there is no doubt that it is better to prioritize an obligation (in this case: making up a missed fast) over a sunnah (in this case: fasting six days in Shawwal). Also, realize that it is not essential to fast the six days in succession, and they may be done at any time during the month of Shawwal. And Allah knows best. Yasir Qadhi
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 20:56:43 +0000