Question:

I had six days of fasting to make up for in the Ramadan before the last one and I have not made up for them yet. People told me that I have to make expiation by feeding one needy person for each day. Is it obligatory to make the expiation on the same day of fasting or should I make expiation in full, then make up for these days?

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

The Muslim who delayed making up for a Ramadan or some of its days without a valid excuse until the next Ramadan has to make an expiation, which is to feed one needy person for each day that he delayed. This is the opinion of the Maaliki, Shaafi‘i and Hanbali scholars. We consider it the preponderant opinion because Abu Hurayrah and Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with them, gave a Fatwa (verdict) to that effect and the Companions were not reported to have contested it either.

It is permissible for the Muslim, who is required to make expiation, to offer it before making up for the days. We do not know any scholar who considers this expiation obligatory prohibiting offering the expiation before making up for the days of fasting. Combining between them is, in principle, not a condition. So, whenever he makes the expiation, he will be free from liability. Some scholars have held that it is recommended to make expiation with fasting or after it.

Allah Knows best.