Should someone fast on behalf of a deceased person who owed fasts, or only feed an expiation?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
The obligation for the deceased who had the opportunity to make up fasts is to feed one poor person for each day, which is the view of the majority, supported by reports from Aisha and Ibn Abbas. The reasoning is that since proxy performance (Niyaba) in fasting is not permitted during one's life, it is likewise impermissible after death, analogous to prayer.
Supporting text
Some scholars, citing a Hadith reported by Aisha, maintain that someone should fast on behalf of the deceased. However, reports from Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas suggest that the obligation for missed Ramadan fasts is feeding, while proxy fasting applies specifically to vowed (Nadhr) fasts.