Do I Need to Make up Fasts That My Parents Did Not Allow Me to Keep?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Question: During my first two Ramadans when I was 12 and 13 years old, my parents did not allow me to fast. They were worried about how it might affect my growth.
Am I required to make up those two months of fasting?
Answer: Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray this finds you well. MashaAllah, it is wonderful to see a young person so keen to please Allah. May Allah increase your love for Him and make you amongst the foremost of the righteous.
Fasting
Yes, it is obligatory for you to pay back the days of fasting which you missed after you reached puberty.
Please do this slowly, to avoid burnout. You can start by fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, and adjust accordingly. Involve your family in this so they can be a source of support for you. See this as a beautiful opportunity to draw closer to Allah.
Forgive your parents, if you haven’t already. I encourage you to start completing the online courses on SeekersHub to help solidify your foundations. Start with a course on Islamic law (either Shafi’i or Hanafi), and work your way up. Encourage your family to participate too, so that they can be on the same spiritual page as you.
I pray that you and your family will increase in love and sincere concern for each other, for the sake of Allah Most High.
Please refer to the following link:
Brief Miscellaneous Q & A Relating to Fasting
Wassalam,
Raidah
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
