What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwal with a shared intention of making up for missed Ramadan fasts for someone who only recently learned that this is impermissible? And is it obligatory to make up for these days consecutively or can it be done separately? Is expiation required? And what is the authenticity and meaning of the Hadith: "The greatest of people in sin is he who prohibits something because of his questioning"?

The preponderant opinion is that the days you fasted suffice for the make-up days you owed, so you are not now required to make up any fasts or offer expiation. The hadith, "Indeed, the greatest of Muslims in guilt among Muslims is he who asks about something that was not forbidden to Muslims, but was then forbidden to them because of his question," means that sin falls upon one who asks out of affectation or obstinacy concerning something for which there is no need. As for one who asks out of necessity, there is no sin upon him. This prohibition due to questioning was only during the time of legislation, meaning during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.