As for the number of needy persons, it is according to the number of days. It is not sufficient to give one needy person more food than the expiation due for a single day. This is indicated by the second of the well-known seven canonical readings: “And upon those who are able to fast is a ransom: feeding needy persons,” with the plural form. This shows that there must be one needy person for each day.
In summary, whoever is unable to fast due to an incapacity from which recovery is not expected must provide food for one needy person for every day, whether he feeds them or transfers ownership of the food to them, according to the stronger view.
Issue: If the sick person whose recovery is not expected, or the elderly person, lacks the means, then the expiation is waived for them, since no obligation remains in the face of incapacity, and providing food in this case has no substitute.
It is recommended for a sick person whom it harms, …
His statement, “It is recommended for a sick person whom it harms”: the pronoun in “it is recommended” refers to breaking the fast. Thus, if a person is ill and fasting harms him, then breaking the fast is recommended for him. According to what the author, may Allah have mercy on him, stated, if he does not break his fast, he has turned away from Allah’s concession, exalted is He; and turning away from Allah’s concession is a mistake. What one ought to do is accept Allah’s concession.
The correct view is that if fasting harms him, then fasting is forbidden and breaking the fast is obligatory, due to Allah’s saying: “And do not kill yourselves.” [al-Nisa’ 4:29] The prohibition here includes both taking one’s life and anything that causes harm.
The evidence that it includes anything harmful is the hadith of Amr ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with him: when he led his companions in prayer while in a state of major ritual impurity, he feared the cold and therefore performed dry ablution. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, “Did you lead your companions in prayer