Have Debt from Years of Missed Fasts? Here’s the Solution!

“A man in debt is so far a slave,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Having debt is miserable. It weighs us down and brings a lot of stress and worry. Maybe you have experienced this.

As Ramadan approaches, Muslims are reminded of their debt from missed fasts. Maybe that includes you. According to Islam, this debt must be paid to Allah in full.

In this article you will learn how to pay off your debt from years of missed fasts as well as other debt you might have with Allah. Then you will find true freedom and peace!

Ramadan Fasting Requirements

All Muslims are required to fast for the entire month of Ramadan. “O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you . . .” (Qs 2:183). If you don’t fast, it’s considered a major sin, and you might go to hell. If you fail to fast during Ramadan for years, you’re considered a hypocrite or an unbeliever.

But, there are a few exceptions:

• People who are ill
• People who are elderly and weak
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or menstruating
• People on a long journey

“(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later . . .” (Qs 2:184).

Every Muslim who doesn’t fast during Ramadan or has their fast cancelled, owes a debt to Allah. How can it be paid?

Way to Pay Off the Fasting Debt

Maybe you’re not worried because you know there are options. The best way to pay off your fasting debt is by making up your missed days. You’re required to fast the same number of days you missed last year before the next Ramadan.

But, if you’re unable to fast because you’re weak or ill, there’s another option. You can pay Fidya. Fidya is giving food to the poor in accordance with the number of days missed. There are rules about how much and what type of food to give.

Have you completely paid off your debt from missed fasts? What if you don’t know how great your debt really is? That must cause tremendous stress.

Allah Provides a Substitution

Muslims believe Allah is All Merciful because he provides a substitution when people are not able to fast. They can pay Fidya.

From Allah’s perspective, we’re all sick and weak because of our sin. The Injil explains, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away . . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God [Allah]” (Injil, Romans 3:11-12, 23).

We have all sinned and therefore, need a substitution because we are not able to obey Allah’s commandments perfectly.

According to the Injil, sin is like a debt. How can we pay the debt of sin? Are we able to do it on our own?

Way to Pay off Our Sin Debt

Islam teaches that Muslims need to try to pay off their sin debt by praying and doing good deeds. The problem is, that will never be enough.

The Injil teaches, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works . . .” (Injil, Ephesians 2:8). “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Injil, Titus 3:5).

Since we are weak, sinful and unable to pay off our sin debt, Allah provides a substitution. Isa Al-Masih was punished to pay the price for our sins. Isa pays off our sin debt. There’s only one thing we must do to receive that substitution: Believe in Him!

Believe in Isa Al-Masih today as the One who paid your entire debt to Allah. You will find true peace, freedom, and joy!

SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW 

We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:

1. What have you tried to pay off your debt from missed fasts?
2. Why do you think Allah allows people to pay Fidya?
3. Why do we need a substitution to pay our debt of sin?
   

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