Compensation for Fasts Missed In Ramadan

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) has stated very clearly the action to be taken if there is a valid excuse for missing a fast of Ramadan. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says in Al-Qur’an:

“(Observing Saum – fasts, for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you knew.” (Al-Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184)

In addition to the sick and the old, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) also mentioned other categories of people that are allowed to miss a fast of Ramadan: Allah has remitted half the prayer to a traveller, and fasting to the traveller, the woman who is suckling an infant and the woman who is pregnant, I swear by Allah, he (the Prophet (Peace be upon him) mentioned both (i.e. suckling and pregnant women) or one of them. (Reported by Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2402)

However if someone misses a fast without a valid reason then even if he fasts for the rest of his life, he will not be able to make up this one fast: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “If anyone breaks his fast one day in Ramadan without a concession granted to him by Allah, a perpetual fast will not atone for it.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2390)

Prophet (Peace be upon him) stated the action to take for one who broke a fast in Ramadan. A man broke the fast in Ramadan and the Prophet (Peace be upon him), ordered him to make kaffara by freeing a slave, or fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people, and he said, "I can't do it." Someone brought a large basket of dates to the Prophet, and he said, "Take this and give it away as sadaqa." He said, "Prophet (Peace be upon him), there is none more needy than I am." The Prophet (Peace be upon him), laughed until his eye-teeth appeared, and then he said, "Eat them." (Reported by Muwatta, Book 18, Number 18.9.28 )

If in Ramadan, any of the days of fasting were missed, they must be made up for before the next Ramadan. Muslims generally should try to make up for them as soon as possible because any days that are missed are considered as a debt to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He).

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Whoever died and he ought to have fasted (the missed days of Ramadan) then his guardians must fast on his behalf." (Reported by Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 173)