Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I refer you to the following for further clarification:
1st: ‘There is general agreement however, on the need for giving two separate kafaarats for two separate fasts spoiled in two different Ramadans, even though the kafaarat for the first remains undischarged when the second is spoiled.'[pp140-141, Ma la budda minhu, Qadi Thanaa ullah, trans. by Yusuf al-Amriki]
2nd: ‘Masaala 15-If more than one fast have been missed of the same Ramazan, then one recompensation is enough for all, but if they relate to two different Ramadan, then recompensation for each Ramadan should be given separately.'[p251, Bahishti Zewar, M. Ashraf Ali Thanvi, trans. Muhammad M. Khan Saroha]
Walaikum assalam,
I checked both references you mentioned.
What I know and have studied is what Imam al-Haskafi mentioned in al-Durral-Mukhtar:
“If one repeatedly did not perform Ramadan fasts [or broke them] and then did not perform the expiation (kaffara), then only has one kaffara due even if from two different Ramadans according to Muhammad, and this is the relied upon position – as in the Bazzaziyya, Mujtaba, and other works. Others chose that if the non-performance was due to other than intercourse, then only one kaffara is needed, otherwise not.”
Ibn Abidin commented that there is difference of opinion as to the sounder position on the matter, and explained the difference, inclining with the last opinion mentioned in the Durr. What the scholars I have studied with say is that one kaffara is enough, as mentioned in the Durr, and though others said otherwise, this is a difficult ruling to apply in our times, due to prevalent ignorance. This is also what Imam al-Sarakhsi mentioned in his al-Mabsut, saying that,
“If someone [vitiated their fast because they] performed intercourse in two separate Ramadan… the correct position is that only one kaffara is due…”
This is also mentioned by Shaykh Zadain Majma` al-Anhur as being the correct opinion.
There is difference of opinion on this matter, and what I have learned, and believe is that one kaffara is enough for all past non-performances of Ramadan fasts. This is what I have to say, and what others have may be superior. And Allah knows best.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani