Fasting On Behalf Of The Deceased

If a deceased dies and has the fast of Ramadan in debt, the guardians must feed a poor for each day not fasted. It is not permissible to fast instead of them, because the obligation of fasting is as the same as prayer. As we do not pray instead of someone, we do not fast instead of them, as long as the person has not fasting in debt. This view is supported by these two following hadeeth:

Al Bukhari:

Narrated by 'Aisha Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever died and he ought to have fasted (the missed days of Ramadan) then his guardians must fast on his behalf."

Ibn`Abbas. He said: a man came to the Prophet (saw) and said: O Allah’s Apostle! My mother died and she ought to have fasted one month. Shall I fast on her behalf?” The Prophet (saw) replied: “If your mother had debts, would you have paid it?” he replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (saw) said: “Allah’s debts are more entitled to be paid.”.

Source: Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Pg. # 470. H. # 1952.

Muslim ibn Hajjaj:

Ibn 'Abbas reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) and said: My mother has died, and fasts of a month are due from her. Thereupon he said: Don't you see that if debt was due from her, would you not pay it? She said: Yes (I would pay on her behalf). Thereupon he said: The debt of Allah deserves its payment more than (the payment of anyone else).

Source: Saheeh Muslim. Pg. # 509. H. # 1148/154.

According to these hadeeths, the fast of Nadhr for a dead person is valid and is an obligation upon the guardian. This is contrary to the teachings of the so called Hanafi school. Who believe that the Guardian is not required to fast on behalf of the deceased.

Al Marghinani:

If a person passes away and he is owing fasts. It is not required for his guardian to do so.

Source: Al Hidayah Sharh Bidayatul Mubtadi. Vol. 2, Pg. # 271.