Missing a Fast in Ramadan Intentionally

Question

Missing a Fast in Ramadan Intentionally: What Should Be Done?

Bottom Line

If someone skips fasting in Ramadan deliberately without excuse, they must repent and make up the missed days according to the majority of scholars.

Quick Answer

Fasting during Ramadan is a pillar of Islam. Deliberately missing it without excuse is a major sin. The majority of scholars say those days must be made up along with sincere repentance. Some scholars, including Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn ʿUthaymīn, held that making up is not valid and only repentance and voluntary fasts remain. Still, the safer view is to both repent and make up the missed days.

Key Points

• Fasting Ramadan is obligatory and cannot be neglected without excuse.
• Valid excuses (illness, travel, menses) require making up later.
• Deliberately missing fasting is a major sin requiring repentance.
• Most scholars: missed days must be made up.
• Some scholars: no make-up is valid, only repentance and nafl fasts.

Detailed Answer

Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Allah says:

“…and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which one did not fast must be made up from other days.” (Qur’an 2:185)

Valid Excuses

If a person misses fasting due to illness, travel, or menstruation, there is consensus that those days must be made up later.

Missing Without Excuse

One who deliberately does not fast, whether skipping the whole day or breaking it mid-day without excuse, has committed a major sin. Repentance is required. The majority of scholars (including the four madhhabs) say such a person must also make up the missed days. Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr said there is ijmāʿ (consensus) on this point. Ibn Qudāmah stated that fasting remains due until it is performed.

Differing Opinion

Some scholars, like Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah and Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, held that making up is not valid since the time of the worship has passed. Instead, the person should repent sincerely and perform many voluntary fasts, as the obligation cannot be redone after its time.

Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله), however, ruled that the person must repent and make up the missed fasts, as this is the safer and stronger view.

What This Means for You

If you deliberately missed a fast in Ramadan, repent sincerely to Allah and make up the missed days. Even though some scholars say making up is not valid, the majority’s view is stronger and safer. Alongside this, increase in voluntary fasting and good deeds to seek forgiveness.

And Allah knows best

References

Primary Sources

• Qur’an 2:185 : Exemption for sickness or travel.
• IslamQA Fatwa 234125: Missing Ramadan fasts intentionally.

Secondary Sources

• Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, al-Istidhkār, 1/77.
• Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī, 4/365.
• Al-Nawawī, al-Majmūʿ, 6/261.
• Ibn Taymiyyah, al-Ikhtiyārāt al-Fiqhiyyah, p. 460.
• Ibn ʿUthaymīn, Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 19/89.