Is it obligatory for him to feed a poor person for each day as expiation for breaking the fast of the six days of Shawwal?

Question:
He says: I love to fast the six days of Shawwal, but this year my work circumstances did not allow me to do so. So, is it obligatory for me to feed a poor person for each day, or what should I feed? Fasting six days of Shawwal.

Answer:
It is a recommended practice (sunnah), not obligatory. Whoever does it gets reward, and whoever leaves it has done nothing wrong. It is not prescribed for him to feed people in its place. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Fasting Ramadan is obligatory and a pillar of Islam. As for fasting the six days of Shawwal, it is voluntary. This is found in many of the obligatory acts where Allah has legislated a voluntary act after them. For example, there is a voluntary prayer after the obligatory prayer, and there is also voluntary charity alongside the obligatory zakah, and the recommended voluntary charity. In general, alongside every obligatory act of worship, there is a voluntary act of the same kind. And, Allah knows best, this is to complete what is achieved in the nature of the burden, for this voluntary act makes up for what is lacking in the obligatory acts.