The ruling on fasting for an elderly woman who is ill

Question:
My mother is ill, and this was a few days before Ramadan. The illness has weakened her, and she is advanced in age. She fasted fifteen days of Ramadan, but she was unable to fast the remainder, nor was she able to make up the missed days. Is it permissible for her to give charity? How much is sufficient for the daily charity? I am supporting her, so should I pay what is due from her in my situation, provided she has nothing with which to give charity?

Answer:
There is a distinction here. If the illness for which she broke her fast is one that is expected to end and from which she is expected to recover, then she should wait until she recovers and then fast to make up what is due from her. However, if this illness is not expected to be cured, if it is a chronic illness, then you feed a poor person on her behalf for each day, a poor person for each day, the amount being half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) for each day. Likewise, if she is very old and frail and unable to fast, but her mind and reasoning are intact, then you feed on her behalf, or she feeds if she is the one who feeds, for this is the primary ruling. And if she appoints you to feed on her behalf, that is sufficient, if Allah wills. Yes.