What is the consequence if the vowed act is fasting and the person becomes incapable of performing it?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Vows
Primary text
There are two established narrations from Ahmad regarding an unavoidable inability to fulfill a vowed fast. The stronger view holds that the person must feed one poor person for every day of the vowed fast. This is because the vowed fast, being an ordained act, requires a substitute of feeding upon incapacity, similar to the ruling for the missed days of Ramadan fast. This interpretation aligns with textual usage where general human speech regarding religious matters is understood according to established religious practice, meaning if one is incapable of a prescribed fast, one feeds a poor person for each day.
Supporting text
The second narration states that nothing else is due besides the expiation of an oath, based on the Hadith stating the expiation for an unfulfillable vow is the expiation of an oath, implying it is comprehensive. Critics argue that equating this to Ramadan fasting is flawed because incapacity in Ramadan leads to feeding only upon death, and Ramadan fasting is more emphasized, evidenced by the severe penalty for breaking it without excuse. Furthermore, equating the vowed fast to another vowed act is preferable to equating it to the obligatory fast.