Question:
I am a sick woman who missed some fasts last Ramadan due to illness, and I have been unable to make up for them because of my ongoing condition. What is the expiation (Kaffarah) for these missed fasts? Similarly, I will not be able to fast this year in Ramadan either. What will be the expiation for these fasts? May Allah reward you with goodness.
Answer:
A person who is sick and finds fasting difficult is permitted to refrain from fasting. Once Allah grants them recovery, they must make up for the missed fasts. This ruling is based on the command of Allah Almighty:
وَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
[Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185]
"And whoever is ill or on a journey—then an equal number of other days (must be made up)."
Therefore, as long as your illness persists, there is no harm in not fasting during this month. Not fasting due to illness or travel is a concession from Allah Almighty, and He loves that His concessions be accepted just as He dislikes disobedience.
You are not required to offer any expiation (Kaffarah). However, if Allah grants you recovery, then it is obligatory upon you to make up for the missed fasts.
May Allah grant you complete healing from every illness and remove all our sins and yours.
— Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله)
