Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamualaikum,

My question is during ramzan if a person misses his/her fast due to health problems how is the kaffara to be paid. What is the kaffara of one missed roza(fast)? When is it to be paid, do we need to pay it during ramzan itself or any other time as well. If all the roza(fasts) of ramzan were missed due to health reasons do we need to pay the kaffara in one shot or can it be paid one at a time?

I want to congragulate for the work you do. May Allah(SWT) shower his mercy and blessings on you and your team.

Allah-Haafiz.

Your sister in Islam

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Kaffarah atonement for missed fasts

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

May Allah Subhanah reward you with the best of this world and the Hereafter for your kind comments of encouragement for our humble efforts in the propagation of the Truth. If our humble and modest efforts have helped even one brother or sister get closer to Allah and His Deen of Truth, then we would consider ourselves indeed fortunate to have been given this opportunity by the Lord Most Merciful to serve in His Cause. We hope, beg, and pray the Merciful Lord accepts our humble and weak efforts, forgives us our shortcomings, and saves you, us, and all the believers from the torment of the Hell Fire. Ameen.

Your Question: My question is during ramzan if a person misses his/her fast due to health problems how is the kaffara to be paid.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 185:

185 Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (or witnesses) the month should spend it in fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

If one is genuinely ill, or fears that fasting would aggravate his illness, of if one is pregnant and fears that fasting may effect the health of the mother or the unborn in any way, etc.; one has been given the option by the Lord Most Merciful that the believer may leave the fast/s and make up the missed fasts at a later date/s of their convenience.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 184:

184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.

If one is indulged in a permanent or terminal form of illness and has absolutely no hope of recovering from that illness whereby one is unable to even make up the missed fasts at a later date….then the atonement for such terminally ill believers is the feeding of (at least) one poor indigent person for each fast missed. This form of atonement of feeding (at least) one poor person for each fast missed is only for those who are terminally ill and have no hope of recovery, and not for the temporarily ill….for the temporarily ill (pregnant woman, etc.), they are not eligible to atone their missed fasts by feeding the poor, but they have to make up their missed fasts by fasting on other days of their convenience.

Your Question: What is the kaffara of one missed roza(fast)?

The atonement of missing an obligatory fast/s of one who is temporarily ill is to make up the missed fasts on a later date/s of their convenience.

The atonement of missing obligatory fasts of one who is permanently or terminally ill is to feed (at least) one poor indigent person for each fast missed.

Your Question: When is it to be paid, do we need to pay it during ramzan itself or any other time as well.

If one is permanently or terminally ill, and has absolutely no hope of recovering from their illness to the extent that they will not even be able to make up their fast on other days….. they may approach any Islamic Centre or Society or the ‘imam’ of their local mosque who would be able to guide them regarding the brothers and sisters who are involved in feeding the poor. One who is terminally ill and wishes to atone for their missed fasts by feeding the poor, must inform these brothers and sisters that the amount they are giving them is for the atonement of their missed fasts and they would do the needful, Insha Allah.

Although it is preferred that one fulfill the atonement as soon as possible, there is absolutely no obligation to fulfill the ‘kaffarah’ in Ramadan itself….one may do so whenever it is convenient or easy for them, preferably as soon as Ramadan is over.

Your Question: If all the roza(fasts) of ramzan were missed due to health reasons do we need to pay the kaffara in one shot or can it be paid one at a time?

If one is permanently or terminally ill and wishes to atone for missing the obligatory fasts of the whole month of Ramadan, one has the option to atone one missed fast at a time by feeding (at least) one indigent person for 29/30 days, or alternatively one may feed (at least) 29/30 indigent people at one time and atone for their missed fasts.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan