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Perfect Schedule for Making Up Missed Fasts

Preparing for Ramadan: A Perfect Schedule for Women Missing Fasts Due to Menses

As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims worldwide prepare to engage in fasting, prayer, and spiritual growth. For women, however, there is a unique challenge when it comes to fasting during Ramadan: menstruation. Islamic law exempts women from fasting during their menstrual period, but they are required to make up for the missed fasts after Ramadan has ended.

With only 45 days left until Ramadan, it is an excellent opportunity for women to prepare and plan how to make up for the fasts they will miss during this time. This preparation can ensure that they meet their religious obligations efficiently and spiritually benefit from the blessed month of Ramadan.

Understanding the Ruling on Missing Fasts Due to Menses

According to Islamic jurisprudence, women are not required to fast during their menstrual cycle. Fasting during Ramadan is a fundamental pillar of Islam, but it is not obligatory for women during their menses. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"When a woman menstruates, she is not to fast nor to pray."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 305)

Once their menstrual period ends, they are expected to make up for the missed fasts after Ramadan. This is confirmed in the Hadith of A’ishah (RA), who said:

"We used to menstruate during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, and he would command us to make up for the fasts we missed, but we were not required to make up for the missed prayers."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 323)

Thus, while prayer is not required to be made up after menstruation, fasting is obligatory. With Ramadan just around the corner, it is vital for women to prepare themselves so that they can make up for the missed fasts before the next Ramadan comes around.

Creating a Perfect Schedule for Making Up Missed Fasts

With approximately 45 days left before Ramadan, women can use this time to plan and implement a practical schedule for making up the fasts they missed. Here’s a suggested approach to managing this task:

1. Assess the Number of Missed Fasts

The first step is to determine how many fasts need to be made up. If a woman had 5-7 days of menstruation during the previous Ramadan, she needs to make up those specific fasts. It's essential to keep track of the days missed and make a clear list of them to ensure nothing is forgotten.

2. Gradually Make Up the Fasts

The most practical approach is to gradually make up the fasts over the next 45 days. This allows ample time and avoids overwhelming oneself. For example, a woman can aim to fast 2-3 days a week, depending on her schedule and health. This steady pace will ensure that all missed fasts are made up before Ramadan begins, without having to rush in the last minute.

Suggested Weekly Plan:

Monday & Thursday Fasting: Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a well-established Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. In addition to making up for missed fasts, fasting these days brings extra rewards.

Choose Other Days: If fasting on Monday and Thursday is not possible every week, choose another day to make up for the fast. You can choose any day of the week that works best with your schedule.

3. Fasting with the Intention of Qada' (Making Up Missed Fasts)

When making up the missed fasts, it is essential to have the intention (niyyah) of fasting to make up for the missed Ramadan fasts. This can be done at any time of the day before dawn, as the intention does not need to be made the night before, unlike the fasting of Ramadan.

Intention Example:
"I intend to fast tomorrow to make up for the missed fast of Ramadan."

This simple intention is sufficient to fulfill the requirement for making up the missed fasts.

4. Maximize the Reward of Fasting

Aside from making up for missed fasts, women can also focus on maximizing the reward of these fasts. Incorporating additional acts of worship during these days will increase the benefit and make the fasts more spiritually rewarding.

Increase in Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Engaging in dhikr throughout the day, especially during times of hunger or thirst, helps keep the heart connected to Allah and strengthens one’s faith.

Recitation of the Quran: Since Ramadan is the month of the Quran, it is highly beneficial to start revising and reading the Quran in preparation for the coming month.

Charity: Giving charity during the fasting days is another way to increase rewards. A small act of charity, such as donating to a cause or helping others, can bring immense blessings.

5. Take Care of Your Health

It is important to take care of your health while fasting. Make sure to drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours to stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals during suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (meal to break the fast), and rest adequately. This will ensure that you are physically prepared for fasting during Ramadan itself.

Spiritual Preparation for Ramadan

While making up the missed fasts, women should also focus on spiritual preparation for Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of preparing the heart and mind for the blessed month, as it is not just a time of physical fasting but also a time for spiritual rejuvenation.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1899)

Ramadan is a time for drawing closer to Allah, seeking forgiveness, and purifying the soul. As you make up your missed fasts, engage in acts of worship that will help you spiritually prepare for Ramadan, such as:

Increased Dua: Make dua to Allah for good health, guidance, and acceptance of your fasts.

Repentance: Take the time to seek forgiveness for past shortcomings and sins, purifying your heart before the arrival of the blessed month.

Develop Good Habits: Focus on building habits of worship now, such as regular prayer and Quran recitation, that will be maintained during Ramadan.

Conclusion

With only 45 days left until Ramadan, now is the perfect time for women to make up for missed fasts due to menstruation and prepare spiritually for the upcoming month of fasting. By gradually fasting, maintaining the correct intention, and increasing worship, women can fulfill their obligation of making up missed fasts in a balanced and spiritually rewarding way.

May Allah grant us all the strength to prepare for Ramadan and accept our efforts, and may He make us among those who are granted forgiveness and mercy during this blessed month.

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