Making Up Missed Days in Dhul Hijjah

Question

Can I make up missed Ramadan fasts during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and still get the reward of these blessed days?

Bottom Line

Yes, you can. Making up Ramadan fasts in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah fulfills your obligation while also giving you hope for the reward of these virtuous days.

Quick Answer

Fasting in them is Sunnah, especially on the Day of ʿArafah. If you fast with the intention of making up missed Ramadan fasts, your obligation is fulfilled, and many scholars say you can also hope for the reward of fasting these special days.

Key Takeaways

• The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah carry immense virtue; righteous deeds are most beloved to Allah in this time.
• Fasting is recommended in these days, especially the Day of ʿArafah.
• Missed Ramadan fasts must be made up before the next Ramadan.

Detailed Answer

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are among the most blessed days of the year, when righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than at any other time.

1. The Virtue of the First Ten Days

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 969

These days are filled with opportunities for worship: prayer, dhikr, charity, and especially fasting. For those not performing Hajj, fasting is highly emphasized, with the Day of ʿArafah singled out for its immense reward: forgiveness of two years’ sins Muslim 1162

2. The Obligation of Qada (Making Up Missed Fasts)

Muslims who have missed Ramadan fasts are obligated to make them up before the next Ramadan, as Allah says:

“And whoever among you is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of days (are to be made up).”

Qur’an 2:184–185

3. Combining Intentions

Scholars explained that when a person fasts with the intention of making up an obligatory Ramadan fast during these blessed days, their obligation is validly fulfilled. Furthermore, there is strong hope, by Allah’s mercy, that they will also share in the reward of voluntary fasting linked to those days. This is because the reward of time-bound virtuous deeds is tied to when they are done, not only to intention.

Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmuʿ al-Fatawa explained that combining intentions in certain cases is valid and does not diminish the reward, especially when one fulfills a fard (obligatory) act that coincides with a Sunnah time. Similarly, Ibn ʿUthaymīn in Fatawa Noor ʿala al-Darb noted that a Muslim who makes up Ramadan fasts in Dhul-Hijjah can hope for both the reward of the qada obligation and the Sunnah virtue. Al-Nawawi in al-Majmuʿ also affirmed that fasting during virtuous times multiplies reward, even if the fast is for qada.

This approach reflects the mercy and balance of Shariah, combining duty with opportunity, and maximizing worship without neglecting obligations. It is part of following the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, the final Messenger of Islam who is Muhammad, and the consensus of scholars, ijmaʿ

What This Means for You

If you have Ramadan fasts to make up, plan to fast them during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. You will fulfill your obligation and, inshaAllah, also share in the multiplied rewards of these days, especially on the Day of ʿArafah.

And Allah knows best.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Baqarah 2:184 185: Obligation to make up missed fasts before the next Ramadan.

Hadith

2. Sahih al-Bukhari 969: Virtues of good deeds in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
3. Sahih Muslim 1162: Fasting on the Day of ʿArafah expiates two years of sins.

Secondary Sources

4. Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmuʿ al-Fatawa: Permissibility of combining fard and Sunnah intentions.
5. Ibn ʿUthaymīn, Fatawa Noor ʿala al-Darb: Fasting qada during Dhul-Hijjah brings both obligation and reward.
6. Al-Nawawi, al-Majmuʿ: Fasting during blessed times multiplies reward, even for qada.