Obligatory Makeup Fasts in Shaʿbān

Q: If someone has not made up obligatory fasts from the previous Ramaḍān, are they required to make them up during Shaʿbān?

A: Yes. If a person still owes obligatory fasts from the previous Ramaḍān, they are required to make them up during Shaʿbān.

In the Hanbalī school, while making up Ramaḍān fasts is recommended to be completed promptly, this ruling changes once the remaining time becomes restricted.

When Shaʿbān enters and only enough days remain to complete the missed fasts before the next Ramaḍān, and there is no legal excuse, delaying is no longer permitted. At that point, making them up becomes obligatory immediately, and consecutively if necessary, due to the constriction of time.

Therefore, whoever has not made up their missed Ramaḍān fasts must complete them in Shaʿbān and may not postpone them beyond it.

Source: Sharh al-Muntaha & Kashshaf al-Qina