What is the ruling on fasting for the elderly man or woman who finds fasting extremely burdensome?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
An elderly man or woman for whom fasting causes extreme hardship (mashaqqah shadidah) is permitted to break the fast and must feed one poor person for every day missed. This is the position of Ali, Ibn Abbas, Abu Hurayrah, Anas, Sa'id ibn al-Jubayr, Tawus, Abu Hanifah, Al-Thawri, and Al-Awza'i, based on Quran 2:184, interpreted by Ibn Abbas as a concession (Rukhsah) specifically for the elderly. If the elderly person was capable of fasting but chose not to and then died, feeding is required because the obligation of feeding is linked to the opportunity to fast during life. If the elderly person is also incapable of feeding, nothing is due upon them, based on {Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear} (Quran 2:286).
Supporting text
Malik held that nothing is due because the abandonment of fasting is due to inability, similar to someone who skips fasts due to an illness that leads directly to death. Al-Shafi'i holds two conflicting opinions mirroring the two preceding views. Furthermore, if a sick person is able to fast but neglects to do so until they die, expiation (feeding) is obligatory because the obligation to feed depends on their state of life, unlike a sick person who dies immediately, as imposing feeding on the deceased would constitute establishing an obligation ab initio.