Picture the last week of Sha’ban. You open your calendar and count the fasting days you promised yourself you would finish months ago, and Ramadan is only days away. That quiet guilt of an unfinished promise to Allah gets heavier with every passing day.
The articles only advise “make them up before the next Ramadan,” without saying anything on when to make up Ramadan fasts before next Ramadan and how one should deal with situations where things get in the way.
When one is trying to find out when to make up Ramadan fasts before the next Ramadan, he or she is likely to end up with outdated fatwas posing more questions than providing answers.
This guide highlights the true deadline, the consequences of having the new Ramadan start before completion, and creating a straightforward qada plan based on the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the practice of Aisha (رضي الله عنها).
When to make up Ramadan fasts before next Ramadan?
The general rule is straightforward. A person who missed fasting days should make them up sometime between the end of that Ramadan and the beginning of the next one.
Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated that she sometimes had missed fasts from Ramadan and could not make them up until Sha’ban arrived, because she was occupied with serving the Prophet ﷺ. This narration is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1950 and Sahih Muslim 1146, agreed upon by both scholars as authentic.
This Hadith is the basis of what scholars discuss about making up the fasts of Ramadan before the next Ramadan. This Hadith indicates that qada does not necessarily begin on the first day after Eid, although it should not be postponed until there is no time remaining before the next Ramadan.
Allah also addresses missed fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184), where those who are ill or traveling during Ramadan are told to complete the same number of days on other days instead. This verse is the root of the qada obligation itself.
How Long Do You Have to Make Up Ramadan Fasts?
There is no requirement to begin the very next day after Eid al-Fitr. What matters practically is this:
- Qada can be spread out across the entire year.
- The days do not need to be back to back.
- The real deadline is the start of the following Ramadan.
Waiting until the last weeks of Sha’ban, like Aisha did, is permitted but not ideal for most people.
Do You Have to Make Up Ramadan Fasts Immediately?
No, there isn’t anything that says you must. There is some leeway involved, particularly when there is an actual reason for it. The requirement is simply that the days be made up before the next Ramadan comes around.
What Happens If You Do Not Make Up Your Fasts Before the Next Ramadan?
This is where most people get confused, and it deserves a clear answer split into two separate situations.
If You Had a Valid Excuse
Some people are simply unable to complete their qada fasts in time. Continuing illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or other genuine circumstances can prevent someone from fasting for an extended stretch.
In this case, scholars generally agree the person is not sinful. They fast the new Ramadan first, and once it ends, they resume qada for the earlier missed days without an additional penalty for the delay itself.
If You Delayed Without a Valid Excuse
The majority of scholars, including the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools, hold that someone who was able to make up the fasts but deliberately delayed until the next Ramadan must still make up the missed days, and feed a poor person for each day as an additional expiation for the delay.
The Hanafi school takes a lighter position and does not require this extra fidyah, holding that the person only owes the missed fast itself. Because of this difference, readers should follow a trusted scholar or their madhhab rather than assume one ruling applies universally.
Do You Have to Pay Fidyah for Delaying Missed Ramadan Fasts?
Fidyah is a separate topic from qada, and it deserves its own explanation.
When Fidyah May Be Required for Delayed Qada?
According to the majority view, fidyah becomes necessary specifically when someone had the ability to fast but pushed the missed days past the following Ramadan without a genuine reason.
- One poor person is fed for each day delayed, in addition to still fasting that missed day later.
- This is treated as a penalty for the delay, not a replacement for the fast itself.
When Fidyah Is Not Required?
If the delay was caused by a real excuse such as illness, pregnancy, or breastfeeding that continued until the next Ramadan, most scholars agree no fidyah applies. The person simply completes the qada afterward.
Why Scholars Differ About Fidyah?
The difference comes down to how each school interprets the urgency implied by the practice of the Companions. Malik, al-Shafi’i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal supported the additional fidyah for unexcused delay, while Abu Hanifah did not see it as obligatory. Neither position is a personal opinion invented for convenience, both are documented positions within recognized fiqh.
How Many Days Do You Need to Make Up?
- Counting your missed days accurately matters more than people realize.
- Go back to the Ramadan in question and count the days you did not fast.
- If you are unsure of the exact number, make a reasonable and honest estimate.
- Keep a simple written or digital tracker so the count is not lost again.
For example, someone who missed seven days of Ramadan owes seven days of qada, regardless of the reason behind those missed days.
Do Missed Ramadan Fasts Have to Be Consecutive?
No, and this is good news for anyone worried about fitting qada into a busy schedule.
- Qada fasts can be spread across the year.
- They do not need to be fasted back to back.
A person can fast one day a week, several days together, or a continuous stretch, whichever fits their life.
Can You Make Up Ramadan Fasts on Mondays and Thursdays?
Yes. Many people combine their qada intention with the Sunnah fasts of Mondays and Thursdays, since the Prophet ﷺ regularly fasted on these days. This lets someone earn reward for a Sunnah practice while also working through missed Ramadan days.
Can You Make Up Missed Fasts During Sha’ban?
Yes, and this is directly supported by the practice of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) mentioned earlier in Sahih al-Bukhari 1950. The Prophet ﷺ himself fasted more in Sha’ban than in any other month besides Ramadan, based on the hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1969, so it remains one of the most fitting times to finish outstanding qada days.
What Is the Best Time to Make Up Ramadan Fasts?
The legal answer is “anytime before next Ramadan,” but the practical answer is more useful.
- Calculate your total missed days as soon as Ramadan ends.
- Start qada once you are physically able, rather than waiting for a specific date.
- Divide the days across the months instead of saving them all for Sha’ban.
- Leave yourself a buffer of at least a few weeks before the next Ramadan begins.
- Track completed days so nothing is forgotten by the time Ramadan returns.
- Planning early removes the stress that comes from realizing, in the final days of Sha’ban, that there is simply not enough time left.
Can You Make Up Missed Fasts From Previous Ramadans?
Some people carry qada days from more than one Ramadan. These remain a standing obligation regardless of how many years have passed.
What If You Have Missed Fasts From Several Ramadans?
Scholars differ on whether the missed days must be made up in the exact order they were missed. Some consider following the order obligatory, while others allow more flexibility as long as every missed day is eventually completed.
The priority is simply this: every missed day still needs to be fasted. The order is a secondary matter that a knowledgeable teacher can help clarify based on your specific situation.
What If Ramadan Starts Before You Finish Your Qada Fasts?
This situation is more common than people admit, and the steps to take are simple.
- Begin fasting the new Ramadan as normal.
- Do not continue any qada fasting during the days of the new Ramadan.
- Once the new Ramadan ends, resume making up the older missed days.
- Reflect honestly on whether your delay involved a valid excuse.
- Consult a knowledgeable teacher regarding fidyah if the delay was without excuse.
This is exactly why understanding when to make up Ramadan fasts before next Ramadan matters so much. Knowing the deadline in advance is what prevents this situation from happening in the first place.
Understanding these rulings is only the first step. Deepening your knowledge of fiqh, hadith, and the Sunnah with a qualified teacher makes it far easier to apply them correctly in your own life. Explore our Islamic Courses to study fiqh and fasting rulings properly with a certified teacher, one on one.
If you would rather ask your specific qada situation to a teacher directly, book your free trial session and get a personal answer instead of guessing.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Making Up Ramadan Fasts
Can I make up Ramadan fasts anytime before the next Ramadan? Yes, qada can be completed at any point between Ramadans, though starting early is recommended.
Do I have to make up missed Ramadan fasts consecutively? No, the days can be spread out and fasted separately throughout the year.
What if I cannot finish my missed fasts before Ramadan starts? Fast the new Ramadan first, then resume qada afterward once it ends.
Do I have to pay fidyah if I delay my fasts? Only if the delay was without a valid excuse, according to the majority of scholars.
Can I make up Ramadan fasts in Sha’ban? Yes, this was the practice of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) as recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1950.
What if I have missed fasts from several past Ramadans? Each missed day still needs to be made up, and a teacher can guide you on the order.
The Deadline Nobody Told You About
Most people do not miss their qada out of laziness. They miss it because no one ever explained the actual deadline clearly, so the days quietly pile up until Ramadan is suddenly at the door again.
Knowing when to make up Ramadan fasts before next Ramadan is not just a fiqh detail, it is what turns a vague sense of guilt into a plan you can actually follow. The rest depends on whether you start today or wait for Sha’ban to remind you again.
Learn the fiqh of fasting properly with a qualified teacher at Miftah Alhuda’s Islamic Courses.