Is it obligatory for one making up missed days of Ramadan fasting to do so consecutively?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
The obligatory nature of consecutive fulfillment is not required. The legal basis for this is the unqualified statement of Allah the Almighty: "So, a number of other days" (Quran 2:184), which is not restricted to sequence. This view is held by Ibn Abbas, Anas ibn Malik, Abu Hurayra, Ibn Muhayriz, Abu Qilabah, Mujahid, the people of Medina, al-Hasan, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Ubayd Allah ibn Abd Allah ibn Utbah, Malik, Abu Hanifa, al-Thawri, al-Awza'i, al-Shafi'i, and Ishaq. Arguments against the requirement of sequence include the principle that an act of worship not tied to a specific time does not require sequence, similar to an unconditional vow (Nathr).
Supporting text
The requirement for consecutive make-up fasting is asserted by Ali, Ibn Umar, al-Nakh'i, and al-Sha'bi. Dawud holds it is obligatory but not a condition for validity. The evidence presented for sequence is the report from Ibn al-Mundhir on the authority of Abu Hurayra that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever owes a fast of Ramadan must complete it without interruption." Furthermore, a report attributed to Aisha that the verse was revealed as "a number of consecutive other days" is mentioned, though its authenticity is dismissed.