Combining an Obligatory Fast with a Recommended One
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
If making up an obligatory fast and a recommended fast coincide, and the time for the recommended fast is available, it is permissible for a person to perform the recommended fast and make up the obligatory one later, or to start with the obligatory one first.Example: What if the Day of Ashura coincides with making up a fast from Ramadan?
Regarding fasting the obligatory and the voluntary, there is no doubt that it is prescribed, and it is reasonable to start with the obligatory before the voluntary; because the obligatory is a debt that is required of him, and the voluntary is a supererogatory act—if it is facilitated, good, otherwise there is no blame on him.And on this basis, we say to the one who has a fast to make up from Ramadan: Make up what is due from you before you volunteer. If one volunteers before making up what is due from him, the correct view is that his voluntary fast is valid as long as there is ample time; because making up Ramadan extends until there is a period between the man and the second Ramadan equal to what he owes. So as long as the matter is spacious, the voluntary is permissible, just like the obligatory prayer.For example: If a person prays a voluntary prayer before the obligatory one while there is ample time, it is permissible.
So whoever fasts the Day of 'Arafah or the Day of Ashura and has a fast to make up from Ramadan, his fast is valid, but if he intends to fast this day as making up Ramadan, he gets two rewards: the reward of the Day of 'Arafah and the reward of the Day of Ashura along with the reward of making up the fast. This is regarding the absolute voluntary fast that is not linked to Ramadan. As for fasting six days of Shawwal, they are linked to Ramadan and do not count unless after making up the missed fasts. So if he fasts them before making up the missed fasts, he does not get their reward.By the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal is like one who fasted the whole year) And it is known that one who has a fast to make up cannot be said to have fasted Ramadan until he completes the making up. This is a matter where some people think that if he fears the end of Shawwal before fasting the six days, he should fast them even if he still has missed fasts to make up. This is a mistake, for these six days are not fasted unless the person completes what he owes from Ramadan.
Regarding fasting the obligatory and the voluntary, there is no doubt that it is prescribed, and it is reasonable to start with the obligatory before the voluntary; because the obligatory is a debt that is required of him, and the voluntary is a supererogatory act—if it is facilitated, good, otherwise there is no blame on him.And on this basis, we say to the one who has a fast to make up from Ramadan: Make up what is due from you before you volunteer. If one volunteers before making up what is due from him, the correct view is that his voluntary fast is valid as long as there is ample time; because making up Ramadan extends until there is a period between the man and the second Ramadan equal to what he owes. So as long as the matter is spacious, the voluntary is permissible, just like the obligatory prayer.For example: If a person prays a voluntary prayer before the obligatory one while there is ample time, it is permissible.
So whoever fasts the Day of 'Arafah or the Day of Ashura and has a fast to make up from Ramadan, his fast is valid, but if he intends to fast this day as making up Ramadan, he gets two rewards: the reward of the Day of 'Arafah and the reward of the Day of Ashura along with the reward of making up the fast. This is regarding the absolute voluntary fast that is not linked to Ramadan. As for fasting six days of Shawwal, they are linked to Ramadan and do not count unless after making up the missed fasts. So if he fasts them before making up the missed fasts, he does not get their reward.By the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal is like one who fasted the whole year) And it is known that one who has a fast to make up cannot be said to have fasted Ramadan until he completes the making up. This is a matter where some people think that if he fears the end of Shawwal before fasting the six days, he should fast them even if he still has missed fasts to make up. This is a mistake, for these six days are not fasted unless the person completes what he owes from Ramadan.