Fasting and Fidyah due to Sickness

Fatwa ID: DI01426

Question

My friend, a man in his 40s, has ulcers colitis. He received advice from a practicing Muslim doctor and a scholar to not fast. This is because he tries to fast every year, however he ends up passing blood. There is no currently known cure for ulcers colitis, so he does not believe he will ever improve such that he would to be able to fast.

He is wondering what is due upon him for not fasting. I believe it is the fidyah, feeding one person for each day he doesn't fast, but I would like to verify that. Also, what guidelines would you provide him for "feeding someone"? e.g. giving them $10 for one meal or the like.


Answer

In the Name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful.
 
If someone is unable to fast due to a chronic condition, they will discharge “fidyah”. The fidyah is equivalent to ½ ṣāʿ of wheat or one full ṣāʿ of dates or barely. This equates to approximately $7-10 at this time.

If they recover from such a condition, they will have to make up their fasts – their fidyah will still warrant reward.

 At the same time, one must make sure he is truly incapable. Consider the following: Is it possible for him to fast during the winter time when the fasts are short? If so, he will be exempt from fasting during Ramaḍān, but he will make-up these missed fasts during that time. Otherwise, he will not be obligated to fast and will simply discharge fidyah.