How Should I Repair Missed Fast Due to Illness?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum,

The previous ramadan I have missed 26 fasts due to abdominal pain so I was advised to feed 26 poor people. Should I do this or is there an expiation to perform?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

No, if it established that you are unable to fast by clear signs, relevant past experience, or the advice of an upright, reliable Muslim doctor, you can miss the fasts and make them up at a later date. There is no expiation (fidya) due in such a case. [al-Haskafi, al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

However, if the doctor is unaware of the relevant rulings and limits of the law, you should take his word and then make a reliable judgement on your own. If you are able to fast, by taking any required medicines and eating sensibly around the fasting hours, for example, it would not be permitted to miss the fasts.

Please also see: When Does An Illness Allow One To Break The Fast?

And Allah alone knows best.

في الدر المختار: (أو مريض خاف الزيادة) لمرضه، وصحيح خاف المرض، وخادمة خافت الضعف بغلبة الظن بأمارة أو تجربة أو بإخبار طبيب حاذق مسلم مستور.

في رد المحتار: قوله: (مسلم) أما الكافر فلا يعتمد على قوله لاحتمال أن غرضه إفساد العبادة كمسلم شرع في الصلاة بالتيمم فوعده بإعطاء الماء فإنه لا يقطع الصلاة لما قلنا. بحر. قوله: (مستور) وقيل عدالته شرط، وجزم به الزيلعي، وظاهر ما في البحر والنهر ضعفه ط. قلت: وإذا أخذ بقول طبيب ليس فيه هذه الشروط وأفطر فالظاهر لزوم الكفارة

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani