Expiation for a vow of fasting when unable to fulfill it
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
In a recent question from our sister in Yemen, an elderly woman suffering from diabetes says that she vowed to consistently fast on Mondays and Thursdays. If she falls ill, she breaks her fast and makes up those days later. She sometimes finds it difficult. Is it permissible for her to stop fasting and pay the expiation? May Allah grant you success in what He loves and is pleased with, and may He make Islam and the Muslims benefit from you.
Answer:
This is not obligatory by the original ruling of the Shari'ah, but it is obligatory by the vow. He who vows to obey Allah must obey Him. If she is able to fast on the days she vowed, she must fast, and nothing other than fasting suffices for her. If she is unable to fast, she must pay the expiation for an oath, and that is sufficient for her. Yes.
In a recent question from our sister in Yemen, an elderly woman suffering from diabetes says that she vowed to consistently fast on Mondays and Thursdays. If she falls ill, she breaks her fast and makes up those days later. She sometimes finds it difficult. Is it permissible for her to stop fasting and pay the expiation? May Allah grant you success in what He loves and is pleased with, and may He make Islam and the Muslims benefit from you.
Answer:
This is not obligatory by the original ruling of the Shari'ah, but it is obligatory by the vow. He who vows to obey Allah must obey Him. If she is able to fast on the days she vowed, she must fast, and nothing other than fasting suffices for her. If she is unable to fast, she must pay the expiation for an oath, and that is sufficient for her. Yes.
Source
قناة «إذاعة القرآن الكريم»، نور على الدرب مع معالي الشيخ صالح الفوزان ح7480 — youtube.com (7:26)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.