What is the ruling if the incapacity to fulfill a vowed fast is temporary and expected to cease?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Vows
Primary text
If the incapacity to perform a vowed act, such as fasting, is due to a temporary condition expected to cease, such as illness, one must wait for the condition to pass. No expiation or other penalty is due because the prescribed time has not lapsed, resembling the situation of a sick person in Ramadan.
Supporting text
If the incapacity continues until it is no longer expected to cease, one moves to the ruling involving expiation and payment (fidya) as previously discussed. If the temporary incapacity causes the time for a specific vowed fast to pass, one waits for the opportunity to make up the fast. There are two narrations concerning whether the lapse of time itself mandates the expiation of an oath: one states it is obligatory because the manner of the vow was breached, akin to vowing to walk to the Sacred House and becoming incapable; the other states no expiation is due because the person performed a substitute fast (making up the missed fast) without negligence, similar to performing a specified fast.