What is the ruling on one who left off several Ramadans out of negligence and ignorance, or indifference and following of desire and Satan? Does he have to make them up now after these years?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on one who left off several Ramadans out of negligence and ignorance, or indifference and following of desire and Satan? Does he have to make them up now after these years, especially if he left them off years ago?
The Shaykh : The majority of scholars hold that it is obligatory for him to make them up; if he does not do so, his repentance is not valid.
However, the stronger position is that it is not obligatory for him to make them up. We say this not out of leniency toward him, but as a strictness upon him, because if he made them up, they would not be accepted from him. What is the benefit in an act that is not accepted? We said they would not be accepted from him because one who deliberately delays a time-bound act of worship without an excuse and then performs it has performed it in a manner other than what Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded, so it is returned to him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1718b meaning it is returned to him.
Accordingly, the one who left off years of Ramadan should repent to Allah, rectify his deeds, be steadfast, and ask Allah for firmness.
The Shaykh : The majority of scholars hold that it is obligatory for him to make them up; if he does not do so, his repentance is not valid.
However, the stronger position is that it is not obligatory for him to make them up. We say this not out of leniency toward him, but as a strictness upon him, because if he made them up, they would not be accepted from him. What is the benefit in an act that is not accepted? We said they would not be accepted from him because one who deliberately delays a time-bound act of worship without an excuse and then performs it has performed it in a manner other than what Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded, so it is returned to him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو ردAccordingly, the one who left off years of Ramadan should repent to Allah, rectify his deeds, be steadfast, and ask Allah for firmness.