As for the one who cannot make up the missed fasts and whose inability is permanent—such as the very elderly and the chronically ill—there is no make-up required of them. Instead, they must feed one poor person for every day, in accordance with the verse: “and for those who are able to fast with hardship, a ransom: feeding a needy person” (al-Baqarah 2:184).

Such people move from the obligation of fasting to the obligation of feeding. Because they are unable to make up the fasts, fasting is not required of them at all, either as performance or as make-up; what is binding in its place is feeding the poor.

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Breaking the Fast While Traveling

Question: Which is better for a traveler—breaking the fast or fasting? And if a traveler intends to stay in a town for fewer than four days, may he break the fast in that situation or not? Please advise, and may Allah bless you.

Answer: A traveler undertaking a journey that permits shortening the prayers—what is called a “journey of shortening,” i.e., one of eighty kilometers or more—is better off breaking his fast, acting upon the lawful concession. If he nevertheless fasts while traveling, his fast is valid and acceptable, for the Exalted says: “And whoever is ill or on a journey—then an equal number of other days. Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship, and so that you complete the number” (al-Baqarah 2:185).

Thus breaking the fast while traveling is better than fasting, yet if he chooses to fast there is no sin upon him, Allah willing; his fast is valid and sufficient.

As for someone who intends to stay for fewer than four days, he keeps the rulings of a traveler: he may break the fast and shorten the prayers, for a stay of under four days does not remove him from traveler status.