Missed fasts refer to the days that someone may have missed fulfilling their obligatory fasts during the holy month of Ramadan.
Here, we explore the key reasons some people may miss their fasts and outline who is required to make them up.
There are many legitimate reasons for missing a fast. Islam recognises that there are situations where fasting could harm a person’s health or wellbeing, and provides allowances accordingly.
Here are a few common reasons people may miss their fasts:
If you have a temporary illness with a hope of recovery, you must make up the fasts that you missed during Ramadan once you are able to.
However, if your sickness is permanent, there is no hope of recovery, and you are exempt from fasting, then you may meet the requirements of paying Fidya in place of making up for missed fasts.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person [for every day not fasted]. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.
[Qur’an | Surah Al-Baqarah | 2:184]
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “This refers to old men and old women who are not able to fast, so they should feed a poor person each day.” [Hadith | Al-Bukhari, 4505]
Therefore, elderly people who are unable to fast due to it having a detrimental effect on their health, can choose to pay Fidya instead.
It is widely agreed that pregnant women do not need to fast during the month of Ramadan if they believe it will harm their health or their baby’s health.
Breastfeeding women are also exempt, as stated in a Hadith which explains that Allah “has relieved pregnant and nursing mothers (of the duty to fast)”. [Hadith | Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
However, once a woman is able to, she should make up for the fasts she missed during Ramadan, before the commencement of the next.
For women who are menstruating or in a state of lochia (bleeding after giving birth), fasting is forbidden.
This is because they are in a state of ritual impurity which makes them temporarily exempt from Salah and Fasting.
Once the bleeding comes to a stop, a woman must perform Ghusl and fast the remainder of the days of Ramadan.
She should then make up the fasts she missed before the start of the next Ramadan.
For those that are travelling for; long enough that their prayers have to be shortened and for a temporary amount of time which doesn’t allow them to settle, they may be excused from fasting during the trip.
It was narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
Allah has relieved the traveler of fasting and half of prayer.
[Hadith | Ibn Majah]
Therefore, someone who is travelling is exempt from fasting during Ramadan, but they must make up these fasts once they are able to.
In a moment of weakness, some people may miss or break their fasts intentionally and without a valid reason.
If you are not exempt from fasting, this is a grave sin, and you must atone by repenting to Allah and fasting for 60 continuous days if you deliberately break a fast without a valid reason.
If fasting continuously is not possible, you have the option of paying Kaffarah for the intentionally broken fast, feeding 60 poor people at a rate of £5 per person (the cost of an average meal in the UK).
This is a different kind of payment to Fidya (which is for fasts which are missed out of necessity).
For those who are able to, making up missed fasts is an obligatory act upon us.
Each missed fast should begin with a clear Niyyah (intention) and must be completed before the next Ramadan begins if you are able to. It’s best to make up for missed fasts as soon as possible.
Find out more about how to make up for missed fast here.
As we fulfill this obligatory duty, it’s important to remember that Allah is the most merciful.
When making up for our missed fasts, we should remember why we fast during the holy month of Ramadan and beyond, and fill our days with worship and prayer for Allah (SWT)
At Islamic Relief, we are here to support you in fulfilling your obligations. If you are unable to make up for your missed fasts due to health issues or other difficulties you could consider offering Fidya to help those in need.
Donate Fidya or Kaffarah now to support those in need while fulfilling your religious obligations.
You’re supposed to pay it before you miss a fast, or before Ramadan if you know you can’t participate for the whole month.
Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation on all able Muslims and is 1 of the 5 Pillars of Islam. Muslims must pay kaffarah or fidya when missing this fundamental aspects of Islam, with a valid reason or not. Charity, as well as compulsory payments like these, emphasise just what an important aspect of Islam the holy month of Ramadan is.
Fidya is a donation that must be paid to feed the poor for not making up fasts missed in Ramadan on time. Therefore, $5 fidya paid for each fast missed. Donations can be made online.
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Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.
Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.
Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.
Nadeem Azhar
Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.
He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.
Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.
Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.
Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.
Adnan Hafiz
Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.
Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.
Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.
Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.
Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.
Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.
Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.
With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.