قضاء
Qada
Pronounced: qa-DAA
Qada means to make up or fulfill an obligation that was missed at its appointed time. In the context of fasting, qada refers to the make-up fasts a woman owes for the days she could not fast during Ramadan due to hayd, nifas, pregnancy, or illness. These missed fasts must be made up before the next Ramadan arrives.
Why it matters for your worship
Every day of Ramadan you miss due to hayd or nifas becomes a qada fast you owe. Over the years, this can add up. A woman who misses 7 days each Ramadan owes 7 make-up fasts, and if she does not complete them before the next Ramadan, she may also owe fidyah on top of the qada. Tracking these fasts, scheduling them, and actually completing them before the deadline is a real logistical challenge that most women manage in their heads or on paper.
How the four madhabs differ
| Madhab | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Qada fasts should be made up before the next Ramadan but there is no fidyah if delayed, only repentance. They can be fasted on any days (not required to be consecutive). |
| Shafi'i | Qada fasts must be made up before the next Ramadan. If delayed without excuse, fidyah (feeding a poor person per day) is also required in addition to the fast. |
| Maliki | Qada fasts must be made up before the next Ramadan. Delaying without excuse requires fidyah along with the make-up fast. Consecutive fasting is recommended but not required. |
| Hanbali | Qada fasts should be made up before the next Ramadan. Delaying without a valid excuse incurs fidyah in addition to the qada fast. |
Common questions
How do I make up missed Ramadan fasts?
You fast one day for each day you missed. These make-up fasts can be spread throughout the year and do not need to be consecutive. Many women find it helpful to schedule 1-2 qada fasts per week during the months between Ramadans, especially on Mondays and Thursdays (which are sunnah fasting days anyway).
What happens if I do not make up my fasts before the next Ramadan?
According to the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, if you delay your qada fasts beyond the next Ramadan without a valid excuse, you owe both the make-up fast and fidyah (feeding one poor person per missed day). The Hanafi school does not require fidyah for delay, but considers it sinful to delay without excuse. In all schools, the make-up fast itself is never waived; you still owe it regardless of how much time has passed.
Can I fast qada on Mondays and Thursdays to get double reward?
Scholars differ on this. Many hold that you can intend both the qada fast and the sunnah fast of Monday/Thursday, receiving reward for both. Others say the qada obligation takes precedence and the sunnah reward is secondary. Either way, scheduling qada fasts on these days is a practical strategy that many women use.
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