A woman suffering from kidney failure and undergoing dialysis during Ramadan

Q 2: My mother has been suffering from kidney failure for nine years; and Ramadan comes while she undergoes dialysis to purify her blood. She goes to the hospital three times a week: Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday. The dialysis functions through tubes and two injections, thus breaking one's Sawm (Fast). She has not performed Sawm of Ramadan for nine years on the days which she has dialysis treatments. When Ramadan passes, she feeds Miskins (needy people) without making up for the missed days of Sawm, as she goes to the hospital three times a week. What should she do, although nine Ramadans have passed? Is there any sin on her, as she fed Miskins for every day in which she did not perform Sawm without making up for the missed days of Sawm? I hope you will give us your legal opinion, may Allah reward you with the best.


A: If the reality is as you mentioned, she should make up for the missed days of Sawm. This Sawm should take place in regular order: she should make up for the missed days of Sawm in the first Ramadan, then the second...Etc. (Part No. 9; Page No. 106) Moreover, she has to expiate for delaying making up for the missed days of Sawm by feeding a Miskin for every day an amount of 1.5 kg of wheat, rice, dates, or any other staple food known to the people of the country. This is included in the general meaning of the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse): ...and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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