The patient harmed by Sawm may break it and make up for it upon recovery

Q 5: I am ill and the doctor has asked me not to perform Sawm (Fast). This doctor is Muslim and performs Salah (Prayer) with us in the Masjid (mosque). Should I follow his advice, taking into consideration that I cannot endure abstaining from water for more than two hours? If I do not perform Sawm, is it possible to feed a Miskin (needy) for each day in which I break my Sawm through the program of feeding a fasting person coordinated by charities or the Islamic Relief Organization? I appreciate your guidance, may Allah guide you.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, it is better to break Sawm, as it will be beneficial for you and will rid you of any difficulty while you have a legal excuse - illness. You should make up for the missed days of Sawm when you recover, and you are not obliged to feed Miskins in this case. However, if you lose hope of recovering or of the ability to make up for these days, you will not be required to perform compensatory Sawm and, in this case, you should feed a Miskin for each day of missed Sawm or give out an amount of half a Sa` (1 Sa` = 3 kg. Approx.) of wheat, rice, dates, or anything else of the staple food of the country. The poor and Miskins are everywhere; however, if you find a trusted organization that you can deputize to feed the Miskins, there is nothing wrong in that (Part No. 9; Page No. 127) In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.