Can a person make the intention of a missed (Qaḍāʾ) fast of Ramadan together with the intention of an optional (Nafl) fast during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and will they receive the reward of both?
If a person still has missed fasts (qaḍā’) from Ramadan remaining upon them, then making up those fasts should be given priority, because one will be questioned regarding obligatory acts, whereas leaving optional (nafl) fasts is not sinful.
One cannot combine the intention of a Ramadan qaḍā’ fast with the intention of the optional fasts of Dhul-Hijjah or any other voluntary fasts. If someone does so, then only the qaḍā’ fast will be counted as fulfilled. This is what is mentioned in all the books of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh).
As evidence, the following reference is presented from Fatāwā Qāḍī Khān:
ولونوی قضاء رمضان والتطوع کان عن القضاءفی قول ابی یوسف رحمہ اللہ لانہ اقوی
“If a person makes the intention for both a Ramadan qaḍā’ fast and a voluntary fast together, then according to Imām Abū Yūsuf رحمه الله it will count as the qaḍā’ fast, because the qaḍā’ fast is stronger (more weighty).”
📕(Fatāwā Qāḍī Khān, vol. 1, p. 179, published in Karachi)
واللہ تعالٰی اعلم
Mufti Abdul Rehman Qadri
LMJ Quran Academy
29 ZulQadah 1447ھ