Sawm and Kaffarah of a heart patient

Q: I am an eighty year old man. I suffer from a disease in my arteries and heart. I was unable to observe Sawm (Fast) during Ramadan of last year. For this reason, I paid three sacks of wheat to three needy families in our village. The amount of the three sacks was thirty-four Mud (a dry measure of half bushel, 543 grams). I do not know if I will be able to fast this year or not. I hope your Eminence will answer my question as I will not feel comfortable until I am informed of your legal opinion.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned regarding your age and health, and you did not observe Sawm last Ramadan because of your inability to fast, then you are not to be blamed for breaking your Sawm. (Part No. 10; Page No. 167) It will be sufficient for you to feed a needy person for every day of Ramadan that you did not fast. You should give each needy person half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) which is nearly equal to one and a half kilograms of rice, wheat or other such foodstuffs that are common in your country.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.