This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
Can a wealthy person offer three fasts as expiation for an oath?
Answer:
The expiation for an oath is to feed ten poor people, or clothe them, or to free a slave. There is a choice among these three; fulfilling any one of them suffices as expiation. Fasting for three days as expiation is for the one who cannot afford the first three options. Since it is possible for a wealthy person to feed or clothe ten poor people, his expiation will not be fulfilled by fasting three days.
Question:
An old woman swore that she would fast continuously until her debt is paid off. Now, fasting is impossible for this weak old woman; what is the ruling?
Answer:
This old woman should break her oath and pay the expiation.
Question:
Can fasts be given as a vow (nazr)?
Answer:
It can be considered a vow.
❀ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
من مات وعليه صيام صام عنه وليه
“If a person had vowed fasts and then passed away, his guardian will fast on his behalf.”
Reference: (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1952, Sahih Muslim: 1147)
This hadith is evidence that vows of fasting are valid and their fulfillment is obligatory. If the person who made the vow dies without fulfilling it, then his guardian will fast on his behalf.
Question:
Women leave prayers and fasts during their natural menstrual cycle; what is the ruling on this?
Answer:
Upon purification, they only make up the missed fasts; there is no making up of missed prayers.
