Fasting on behalf of the deceased

Question: My mother passed away owing a full month of fasting that she was unable to perform. After her death, her son fasted thirty non-consecutive days on her behalf. Is this permissible, and is anything else required besides the fasting he performed?

Answer: The ruling varies according to her circumstances:

1. If your mother abandoned the fasts because of illness and was never able to make them up before she died, then she is exempt and nothing is due.

2. If, however, she recovered, was capable of making up the missed days, yet procrastinated until another Ramadan came and then died without fasting them, a fidyah is required: a poor person must be fed for each day she missed. Should her guardian also choose to fast those days in addition to the feeding, there is no harm in that.

Feeding the poor in this case is obligatory; fasting alone does not suffice. One poor person must be given half a sâʿ of the staple food of the country for each missed day. If her guardian wishes to combine this feeding with fasting on her behalf, that is acceptable, God willing.

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Question: My father died while suffering from a severe illness that prevented him from fasting the last Ramadan. May I fast on his behalf to make up those days, or is something else required? If so, what is it?

Answer: First: If your father missed the fasts due to illness and the illness remained with him until he died, then nothing is due from him, for he broke the fast for a valid excuse and was unable to make up the days before his death.