What happens regarding missed Ramadan fasts if a person dies before they could make them up?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
There are two states concerning a person who dies owing fasts from Ramadan. If death occurs before the opportunity to fast arises—due to limited time, or a valid excuse like illness or travel, or incapacity—the majority of scholars hold that nothing is due from the estate. This is because the obligation, being a right of Allah established by divine law, fell away without replacement upon death before it could be fulfilled, similar to Hajj in this specific circumstance. This differs from the perpetually elderly person, as the obligation may have never initially applied to the deceased in the context of being able to perform it.
Supporting text
If the deceased died after the opportunity to make up the fasts had arisen, the majority opinion, held by Aisha, Ibn Abbas, Malik, Shafi'i, and others, is that one poor person must be fed for every missed day.