What is the decree on breaking a qada (missed) fasting?

The Details of the Question

I was fasting today and I went to visit some people; I broke my fast and accepted their offerings. 1) Did I commit sin or did I do something wrong? 2) Do I have to make up for that day again? 3) Should I not to go to someone’s house while I am fasting? 4) Are qada fasts regarded as fard?

The Answer

Dear Brother / Sister,

If one intentionally eats or drinks while performing a qada (missed) fasting, it is necessary to fast for only one day for it. It is fard to perform that fasting but it can be done on any day of the year. As for fasting in Ramadan, it is fard to fast during that month; so, if you break it intentionally, kaffarah becomes necessary.

However, it is not fard to perform a qada fasting in a specific month or day; we have the right to fast it whenever we want. Therefore, even if we intentionally break the qada (missed) fasting of Ramadan, it is enough to make up for it by fasting only one day.

Unknowingly or forgetfully eating and drinking while fasting, whether it is Ramadan fasting, qada fasting or nafilah fasting, does not invalidate the fast. When he remembers, he has to stop eating and drinking and continue fasting. However, if he eats and drinks by forgetting and then continues to eat and drink thinking that his fasting has been broken anyway, he has to fast for one day.

Since it is fard to perform qada fasting, it is not appropriate to delay it or break it intentionally. However, it is not a sin like breaking the fast in Ramadan. If one breaks the qada fasting on purpose, he has done something wrong, but he has not committed haram.

It is permissible to visit people while fasting, but in order to avoid having to refuse the offerings, you should either not fast on the day of your visit or visit them on another day.

Qada fasting does not have the same decree as Ramadan fasting. While breaking a Ramadan fast intentionally requires kaffarah, breaking a qada fasting intentionally necessitates only one day of fasting.

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