How can we compensate for the fasts and salaat we missed many years ago?

Question

1)because i did not know much about islam when i was 12 (the time i became mature)till only recently (im now 19), i missed out on salaats and fasts. how can i make up for them. also, the fasts i missed out during the time of my periods, i thought i could make up for them by giving money to the poor, until recently i read from your site that a women cannot do that.so what am i suppose to do now cos in all those years i gave moeny to the poor and now i dont even know how many fasts i have missed out altogther. 2)how is it possible for a women to make up the salaats she missed during her periods. it would make her tired and worn out,and u may say she can make some of them up on different days, but by then, her period will be due again, so as the days go by,the number of missed salaats will go up again and again, making it even more difficult for her to make up for them.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

Respected Sister-in-Islam

Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuhu

Maa shaa Allah, your concern for your Qadhaas (completion of the missed fasts and Salaats) is commendable. May Allah Ta'ala make it easy for you to fulfil it.

The manner of completion is as follows:
a) Calculate the number of Fardh Salaats only missed from the time you became mature up till now. The Witr Salaats is also included (6 Salaats per day = 190 Salaats per months = 64,800 per year)
b) Deduct the Salaats missed during the 'monthly cycle' as there is no Qadha for the Salaat missed during the monthly cycle. Try and determine the number of the missed Salaats.
c) The number of fasts missed from the age of maturity should be calculated and completed.
d) The money that you had paid will not suffice for the completion, rather, it will count as optional charity for which you will be rewarded, Insha Allah.

Word of Advice
Dear sister, thank Allah for giving you the concern to complete your missed fasts and Salaats. Allah Ta'ala wants to bring you closer to him. How would you face Allah on the day of Qiyaamat should you pass away without making the Qadhaas. The big figures that you might see should not break your courage. Rather, Shaytaan is going to work on your mind harder now to take you away from this great step that you would be taking towards getting closer to Allah Ta'ala.

An easy method of fulfilling your Qadhaas is that from now on and after each Fardh Salaat of the day, read one Qadhaa Slaats of the same kind, e.g. after you discharge the Dhuhr of today, just read one Dhuhr Qadhaa Salaat of just 4 Rakaats. There is no Qadhaa for the Sunnats and Nafls missed. Look at how merciful Allah is!!! Your intention will be as follows: 'I intend making Qadhaa of my missed Salaat.'

If you are in a habit of reading Nafl Salaat, rather perform your Qadhaa Salaats instead. This is your priority. Make maximum use of the big nights, big days, etc. that fall during the course of the year. For your Qadhaa fasts, try and fast once or twice a week and complete it.

Lastly, make lots of Du'aa to Allah Ta'ala to make it easy for you, for He is the solution to all our matters.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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