Know Before It's Too Late, This is the Deadline for Replacing Fasting Debts Before Ramadan

Kapanlagi.com - The month of Ramadan 2025 is approaching, and for Muslims who still have fasting debts from last Ramadan, it's time to prepare! Based on the Hijri Calendar, Ramadan 2025 is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025. This means that the deadline for replacing the Ramadan fast of 2024 is until Friday, February 28, 2025.

According to Sharia provisions, every Muslim who is unable to fast during the month of Ramadan is required to make it up before the new holy month arrives. This is in line with Allah's command in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 184, which emphasizes that those who are unable to fast must perform it on other days. Some schools of thought even add the rule of fidyah for those who delay their qadha without a valid reason.

However, many still feel confused about the deadline for replacing fasts and the applicable laws if someone cannot do so before the next Ramadan. Therefore, this article will discuss in depth the deadlines for replacing fasting debts, the applicable laws, and the consequences of being late in fulfilling them. Let's pay attention together so that no one is left behind in carrying out this obligation!

1. Deadline for Replacing Ramadan Fasting 2025

According to information from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the beginning of Ramadan 1446 H is predicted to start on March 1, 2025. This means that Muslims have until February 28, 2025, to fulfill their fasting debts.

In Islamic teachings, replacing fasts (qadha) is obligatory for those who miss them due to illness, travel, or other reasons. As emphasized in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 184, “...whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then he must fast the same number of days that he has missed on other days...”

Therefore, Muslims who still have fasting debts must replace them as soon as possible before the deadline expires.

2. Is It Permissible to Replace Fasting After Nisfu Syaban?

One of the frequently asked questions is about the permissibility of replacing fasts after the middle of the month of Syaban, considering there is a hadith that prohibits fasting during this period. Quoting from the book Practical Guide to Fasting Worship by Drs. E. Syamsuddin Ahmad Syahirul Alim LC, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"When the middle of Syaban has entered, do not fast until (the arrival of) Ramadan." (HR. Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, and Al-Baihaqi).

However, according to the Shafi'i school of thought, this prohibition does not apply to those who are indeed replacing obligatory fasts. This is stated in the book Al-Majmu’, which mentions that fasting after Nisfu Syaban is still permissible if done as qadha for Ramadan, nazar fasting, or kaffarat.

3. What If the Debt of Fasting is Not Paid Off Until Ramadan?

In the world of fiqh, the debt of fasting becomes an interesting debate among scholars, especially for those who have not fulfilled their fasting obligations until the next Ramadan. According to the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools, if someone delays the qadha (replacement) of fasting for more than a year, they are required to make up the fast and pay fidyah as a penalty.

Meanwhile, the Hanafi school argues that although fidyah is not mandatory, the debt of fasting must still be paid at any time, even after Ramadan has passed. On the other hand, the Maliki school emphasizes that making up the fast is an obligation, but fidyah is only imposed if the delay is not accompanied by a valid reason.

In a hadith narrated by Aisha RA, she said:

"I used to have a fasting obligation. I could not pay off the debt of fasting except in the month of Sha'ban." (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).

This hadith indicates that the qadha of fasting should ideally be performed before Ramadan arrives to avoid incurring additional obligations such as fidyah.

4. Intention of Qadha Ramadan Fasting

For those of you who plan to replace your Ramadan fast, it is important to express your intention before dawn breaks. In the book "Procedures and Guidelines for All Types of Fasting" by Nur Solikhin, there is an intention reading that you can follow:

"Nawaitu shauma ghadin 'an qadhaai fardhi ramadhaana lillahi ta'aalaa." This means, "I intend to fast tomorrow as a replacement for the obligatory Ramadan fast for the sake of Allah Ta'ala."

5. Questions About the Topic

1. What happens if someone does not replace their missed fast for years?

According to some scholars, if someone does not replace their fast for a long time, they are still obliged to do so at any time. Some schools of thought also require fidyah as a penalty.

2. Is it permissible to replace Ramadan fasting with Monday-Thursday fasting?

It is permissible, as long as the Monday-Thursday fast is intended as qadha for Ramadan.

3. What is the ruling on performing qadha fasting consecutively?

It is not obligatory to do it consecutively, but it is recommended to complete it before Ramadan arrives.

4. Can qadha fasting be combined with sunnah fasting?

According to some scholars, qadha fasting can be combined with sunnah fasting, but it is preferable if intended separately.

(kpl/mni)