Voluntary Fasting Before Making Up Missed Fasts

The questioner:
Yes. He fasted the Day of 'Arafah and fasted ten days, ten days. Did he do this before Ramadan? Is that permissible?

The Shaykh:
He should fast them to make up for the missed days from Ramadan. However, he intended this act to be voluntary. Voluntary fasting is not appropriate in this case; he should first make up the fasts he owes. Even if he intended, saying, "O Shaykh, by Allah," or if he was in a state where he did not fear Allah, and he was actually fasting voluntarily, he may receive reward, but it is not appropriate. It is obligatory for him to start with making up the missed fasts. In this situation, the fast counts as making up the missed days. It does not precede the obligation, but we hope for reward for him due to his ignorance. It is done. One who has missed fasts to make up must start with making them up, whether he is a woman or a man, before returning to the answer and before. Yes.