fast, then feeding the poor takes the place of making up the missed days, for the Exalted says: “And for those who can fast only with great difficulty, the ransom is to feed a needy person.” (Qur’an 2:184)
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Question: A person missed several days of Ramadan for a legitimate legal excuse, and two years have passed without making them up. If he cannot afford the feeding that is required, what must he do?
Answer: Anyone who owes make-up fasts from Ramadan must complete them before the next Ramadan begins. If the following Ramadan arrives and he has not fasted those days—without any excuse preventing him, but merely out of negligence—he must feed one needy person for every delayed day in addition to making up the fasts. In other words, he must fast the days he owes no matter how long it takes, because making them up is a duty, and alongside that he must feed one needy person per day for the delay up to the advent of the subsequent Ramadan while he had no valid reason for postponement.
If he is presently unable to provide the food, the obligation remains a debt he owes to Allah until he is able to do so.
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Feeding in place of fasting for one with a chronic illness
Question: I still owe two and a half months of Ramadan fasts, but I cannot fast because I suffer from a stomach ailment. I consulted a specialist who told me I should not fast. What is required of me in this situation? Please advise me; may Allah reward you.