A sick woman who can neither observe Sawm nor afford feeding a Miskin

Q: A chronically sick woman did not observe Sawm (Fast) during Ramadan last year. Even now, she cannot make up for the days she missed in Ramadan, bearing in mind that she did not observe Sawm the entire month of Ramadan. Moreover, she is unable to pay expiation or feed poor people. I would like also to inform you that doctors asked her not to observe Sawm. What should she do? What if she dies? May Allah bless you and grant you success.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, this woman should feed a poor person for every day she breaks Sawm. The amount of what she pays to the poor is 1.5 kilogram of the common food of the country for each day she missed. However, if this is beyond her financial ability, she is excused. Allah (Exalted and Glorified be He) states: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can In any case, the liability will be discharged if a beneficent (Part No. 9; Page No. 128) relative or someone else feeds poor people on her behalf. No doubt, such a person will be rewarded by Allah for doing so.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.