One year I did not fast on some days when I had my period, and I have not been able to fast them until now. Many years have passed, and I want to make up the days that I owe, but I do not remember the number of days that I owe. What should I do?
Praise be to Allaah and blessings and peace be upon the
Messenger of Allaah.
You have to do three things:
1 – Repent to Allaah for this delay, and regret the
negligence that has happened in the past, and resolve not to do such a thing
again. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And all of
you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”
[al-Noor 24:31]
This delay is a sin, and repentance to Allaah from that sin
is obligatory.
2 – Hasten to fast the number
of days that you think most likely, and Allaah does not burden any person
beyond his scope. However many days you think you missed, that is the number
you should make up. So if you think it was ten days, then fast ten days. If
you think it was more or less than that, than fast as many as you think,
because Allaah says:
“Allaah
burdens not a person beyond his scope”
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
“So keep
your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can”
[al-Taghaabun 64:16]
3 – Feed one poor person for each day if you are able to do
that. Pay all of that even if it is to one poor person. If you are poor and
unable to feed another, then you do not have to do anything except fast and
repent. For each day you must give half a saa’ of the staple food of your
country, which is equivalent to one and a half kilograms for those who are
able to give it. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
