Do I Have to Make Up Fasting Days?

I became mukallaf (religiously and morally responsible) between 11.5 and 12; however, I don’t recall being aware of my religious and moral responsibility (taklif) until around the age of 13, when I am pretty sure that I fasted the entire month of Ramadan. I used to fast in Ramadan before that, but I am unsure if it was complete, and I am uncertain if I intended to fast as an obligation.

Additionally, from the time I became mukallaf until the age of 16, I am unsure whether I broke my fast due to the intentional emission of sperm during Ramadan, as I used to masturbate often (which I have since stopped, Alhamdulillah). However, I cannot remember if I engaged in that behaviour during the days of Ramadan or not. I also do not recall if I was aware of the ruling regarding this act breaking the fast.

Are there any make-up fasts or expiations that I need to observe?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

You are responsible for making up fasts you know were not fulfilled after puberty. You described that your default was to fast, and doubts don’t remove certainty.

If you are sure there were some violations of your fasting but can’t recall exactly how many, you should estimate a relatively safe number of days (err on the side of caution), and Allah knows best.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh]Irshaad Sedick

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.