If a Woman has Fasts to make up from Ramadan, can she fast the Six Days of Shawwaal before making up her days from Ramadan


Question:

If a woman has some days to make up from Ramadan due to her menses, can she first fast her six (days of Shawwaal) before making up her days from Ramadan?

Answer:

The majority (of scholars) are upon prohibition from this, and that she should first make up (her missed days from Ramadan) then after that she fasts six days from Shawwaal, and that Allaah’s debt is more deserving (of being payed off). Some other (scholars) are of the view that it is permissible for the woman to first fast her 6 days of Shawwaal and delay her make up days (for Ramadan). And if she is able to first make up her days before the six days of Shawwaal then that is better, so that she will be on the safe side. And if that is difficult for her, then she may fast the 6 days of Shawwaal and delay her make up days (for Ramadan). They say this is because this debt is not (to be payed off) immediately. Rather one may take their time, and Allaah knows best.

Allaah azza wa jal said:

{فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ *فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ}

Which translates as: “But whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days;”

And when ever you fast your missed days which was upon you from Ramadan, then it is as if you fasted all of Ramadan and never took off some days. So that which is apparent (to be the correct) is the stance of that which is easier, whether it’s with regards to a menstruating woman or one who was sick for instance, and then did not fast in Ramadan, or maybe there still remains the effects of sickness in them, and so he says if I fast the six days of Shawwaal I’ll be very tired, and Allaah knows best. That (in this situation) he should fast the six days of Shawwaal and then make up for the days missed in Ramadan, depending on what is easy for him.

And Allah knows best.

Answered by: Shaikh Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ba Jamaal (May Allah preserve him)

Source: https://t.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal/66

⁦Translated by: Umm Yusuf bint Abu Bakr