If a woman is unable to fulfill a vow due to her advanced age?
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The questioner : Well, for example, if she is unable to do so because of her advanced age, does the vow not fall off her, just as fasting Ramadan falls off her?
The Shaykh : If she is unable to do so because of her advanced age, does that mean she is unable in both winter and summer?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because she did not specify a time for this month, it is suitable in winter and suitable in summer. Likewise, it is suitable to be consecutive and suitable to be non-consecutive, unless her intention was that it be consecutive, for every person is bound by their intention.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for her to fulfill it consecutively. As for if she said "a month" and left it unspecified, the correct opinion among the scholars is that it is permissible to be consecutive and permissible to be non-consecutive. But if she is unable due to old age, as you asked, it appears that she must do what is required of one who is unable to fast Ramadan.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Meaning she must feed a poor person for every day, because the obligation by vow follows the obligation by divine law, except where evidence exists for a difference between them.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If she is unable to do so because of her advanced age, does that mean she is unable in both winter and summer?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because she did not specify a time for this month, it is suitable in winter and suitable in summer. Likewise, it is suitable to be consecutive and suitable to be non-consecutive, unless her intention was that it be consecutive, for every person is bound by their intention.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for her to fulfill it consecutively. As for if she said "a month" and left it unspecified, the correct opinion among the scholars is that it is permissible to be consecutive and permissible to be non-consecutive. But if she is unable due to old age, as you asked, it appears that she must do what is required of one who is unable to fast Ramadan.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Meaning she must feed a poor person for every day, because the obligation by vow follows the obligation by divine law, except where evidence exists for a difference between them.
The questioner : Yes.