I reached puberty and didn't fast those years. What do I do now?
It depends on why you did not fast. If nobody taught you it was obligatory, most scholars treat that very leniently. If you knew and left it, the usual position is to make those days up, though scholars differ on whether an expiation is owed as well. How many days it was, and in what circumstances, is what needs asking.
The honest answer turns on your circumstances. What it hinges on is below.
Fasting becomes obligatory at puberty, not at an age fixed in years. In girls, the first period is one of its signs, and it commonly arrives before anyone has explained what it entails.
That is why this case is so common, and why the answer depends on the situation:
If you did not know it was obligatory. This is the most frequent case, especially in families who did not practise or where nobody raised the subject. Most scholars require nothing for years of genuine ignorance, and treat them as covered by not having known.
If you knew and did not do it. The usual position is to make those days up, gradually, with no anxious deadline. On whether an expiation is also owed — feeding a poor person for each day — scholars differ.
If you do not remember how many it was. You work from a careful estimate and make that up. “Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity. It will have the consequence of what good it has gained, and it will bear the consequence of what evil it has earned. "Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people."” (Qur’an 2:286)
The verse that frames making up: “Fasting for a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey during them - then an equal number of other days are to be made up. And upon those who are able to fast, but with hardship - a ransom as substitute of feeding a poor person each day. And whoever volunteers good i.e., excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” (Qur’an 2:184)
Why this is a question to ask rather than an automatic answer: it depends on your age then, what you knew, how many years it was, and your health now. Describe it to someone qualified.
And something worth saying: nobody has ruined anything. This is a case the law anticipated, it has a resolution, and starting today is the part that does depend on you.
- Qur’anQur’an 2:184
- Qur’anQur’an 2:286