Fiqh al-Muhadithyn: Question 54 - Someone who has to fast 60 days as a penalty (kaffara) for breaking a fast—must they fast 60 consecutive days or can it be non-consecutive?

Question 54 - Someone who has to fast 60 days as a penalty (kaffara) for breaking a fast—must they fast 60 consecutive days or can it be non-consecutive?

✅ Answer: In Shia narrations, for cases such as the expiation for zihar, accidental killing, or deliberately breaking a fast, the requirement is 'fasting for two consecutive months' (صيام شهرين متتابعين). Each of these cases has its own specific rulings, but the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) have explained the necessity of continuity in fasting as follows:

عَنِ الْحُسَیْنِ بْنِ سَعِیدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِی عُمَیْرٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَلَبِیِّ عَنْ أَبِی عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فی حدیث:... وَ التَّتَابُعُ أَنْ یَصُومَ شَهْراً وَ یَصُومَ مِنَ الْآخَرِ شَیْئاً أَوْ أَیَّاماً....

📚 Al-Kafi, Vol. 4, Page 138

Imam Sadiq (AS) said in a hadith: Continuity means that one must fast for one month (without interruption) and then continue into the next month by fasting at least a few days from it...

Explanation: By following the above narration, the required continuity is achieved, and the remaining fasts can be completed afterward to fulfill the full two months.

If an illness prevents continuous fasting between the two months, specific rulings apply, which are mentioned in their respective discussions.