What If I Intended to Make Up Fasts That I Doubted and Then Learned They Were Valid?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Last Ramadan, I was still determining whether two of my fasts were valid, so I intended to make them up. I’ve learned that one, but most likely both, was valid. Should/do I still have to make them up, as I had made an intention?
What is the ruling of fasting in the second half of Sha‘ban?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
If you have now learned that two of your fasts were valid, despite making an intention to make up (qada) the fasts, you are not obliged to do so.
Fasting after the Second Half of Sha‘ban
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “When the first half of Sha‘ban is finished, do not fast.” [Tirmdhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban]
In the Hanafi school, there is no prohibition on fasting in the second half of the month. However, it is disliked to fast a day or two before Ramadan.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) advised people not to fast towards the end of Sha‘ban so that it doesn’t affect them and make them weak for Ramadan. If a person is strong and healthy and is certain fasting towards the end of Sha`ban will not affect his strength for Ramadan, then it will be permissible.
Month People Neglect between Rajab and Ramadan
Usama ibn Zayd (Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as you fast during Sha’ban.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “It is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like for my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.” [Nasa’i]
Related Answers:
- MakeUp Fasts Archives
- Fasting: A Comprehensive SeekersGuidance Reader
- The Ramadan Reader
- Welcoming the Month of Sha’ban
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
