One who had not fasted for many years

Reference: Fataawa Ramadhaan – Volume 2, Page 556, Fatwa No. 539
Fataawa ash-Shaykh Muhammad as-Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen – Volume 1, Page 536

Question: What is the ruling regarding a Muslim who had not fasted [during the month of Ramadhaan] for many years, despite carrying out the other obligatory acts of worship upon him?

Knowing he had nothing hindering him from fasting, does he have to make up that which he has missed if he makes repentance?

Response: That which is correct is that he doesn’t have to make up that which he has missed if he repents. This is because all acts of worship are enjoined upon the believers at stated times. So, if someone intentionally delays any of them, such that the time passes without a [valid Islaamic] reason, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa-Ta’aala) will not accept this act from him. So based upon this, there is no point in making up that which he missed. However, he should repent to Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) and increase in doing good actions and one who seeks forgiveness, Allaah forgives him (in shaa.-Allaah).

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

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