Question:

I missed one day of fasting last Ramadan, and I have not made up for it yet. Now, there are only fourteen days before the advent of Ramadan, and I want to know whether I am required to offer expiation in addition to making up for this day or not.

Answer:

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.

You must make up for the days of fasting that you missed last Ramadan during the remaining days of Sha‘baan, (i.e., before the advent of the next Ramadan). In such a case, you are not required to offer an expiation, as ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, sometimes made up for the missed days of Ramadan during Sha‘baan. She, may Allah be pleased with her, said in a Hadeeth that was narrated on the authority of Abu Salamah, may Allah be pleased with him, “Sometimes I could not make up for the days of fasting that I missed in Ramadan except in the month of Sha‘baan.” Yahya, a sub-narrator of this Hadeeth, said, “She would be busy serving the Prophet .” [Al-Bukhari]

The Hadeeth which forbids fasting during the second half of Sha‘baan, if considered authentic, does not apply to making up for the missed days of Ramadan.

Allah Knows best.