If a person intends to do the mustahabb action, that will not be acceptable for the obligatory action. If a person fasts with the intention of ‘Ashura, that will not be acceptable as making up for a missed Ramadan fast, but if he intends to make up the missed Ramadan fast and does that on the day of ‘Ashura, then his making up the missed fast will be valid, and there is the hope that he will also attain the reward for ‘Ashura, according to some scholars.
Question
Can I make up a missed Ramadan fast on the day of ʿĀshūrāʾ and still get the reward for both?
Bottom Line
Intend to make up, fulfill the obligation, and hope for ʿĀshūrāʾ’s bonus.
Quick Answer
If you fast ʿĀshūrāʾ with the intention of a missed Ramadan day, your make-up fast is valid, and many scholars hold that there is hope you also receive the virtue of ʿĀshūrāʾ. Obligatory fasts require a clear intention. Recommended fasts like ʿĀshūrāʾ do not replace them, but they may coincide.
Key Takeaways
- Make-ups are hard and need a specific intention the night before.
- Fasting a make-up on ʿĀshūrāʾ fulfills the obligation and, inshaAllah, carries the day’s virtue.
- Do not delay make-ups just to hit special days. If timing aligns, it is a blessing.
Detailed Answer
Obligation vs. Recommendation
Missed Ramadan fasts are obligatory and must be made up per the rules of Ramadan fasting. A voluntary fast like ʿĀshūrāʾ cannot replace a missed fard fast. If you intend only a Sunnah fast on ʿĀshūrāʾ, it does not count as a make-up.
Combining a Make-up With ʿĀshūrāʾ
If you set your intention for a Ramadan make-up and it falls on ʿĀshūrāʾ, the make-up is valid. Many scholars, including Ibn ʿUthaymīn, state that the servant may also receive the virtue of that day because Allah’s bounty is vast.
Intention Matters
Actions are by intentions. Set the makeup intention the night before. The ʿĀshūrāʾ virtue is tied to fasting that day, so coinciding with a make-up does not negate its reward, by Allah’s grace.
Best Practice
Hasten to complete make-ups. Do not postpone fard in hopes of syncing with special days. If it coincides, hope for both rewards while keeping humility and repentance.
What This Means for You
Plan your make-ups promptly. If one lands on ʿĀshūrāʾ, intend to make up and fast it. Obligation fulfilled. Bonus hoped for.
And Allah knows best
References
Primary Sources
Qur’an
- Al-Baqarah 2:184 185: Rules of fasting and making up missed days.
Hadith
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Sahih Muslim 1907: “Actions are only by intentions.”
- Sahih Muslim 1162: Virtue of fasting ʿĀshūrāʾ expiating the previous year’s sins.
Secondary Sources
- Ibn ʿUthaymīn, Liqā’ al-Bāb al-Maftūḥ: On combining a make-up with virtuous days like ʿĀshūrāʾ.
- Ibn ʿUthaymīn, al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ on fasting intentions and prioritizing obligations.
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