What is the ruling if a person vows to fast if he is healed, but then becomes unable to fulfill it due to illness? Does someone fast on his behalf?
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The questioner : A woman fell ill with a severe illness and vowed that if Allah healed her, she would fast three days every month. When she was healed, she fasted, but then she fell ill again several years later and was unable to fast. Does one of her sons fast on her behalf?
The Shaykh : Did she die, meaning?
The questioner : No, no, she fell ill with a severe illness and cannot fast. Does one of her sons fast on her behalf, or does she feed a poor person for each day?
The Shaykh : If her illness is not expected to end, she must feed one poor person for each day. She feeds three poor people, and no one fasts on her behalf, because a living person is not fasted for; rather, fasting is done on behalf of a deceased person, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1147.
The Shaykh : Did she die, meaning?
The questioner : No, no, she fell ill with a severe illness and cannot fast. Does one of her sons fast on her behalf, or does she feed a poor person for each day?
The Shaykh : If her illness is not expected to end, she must feed one poor person for each day. She feeds three poor people, and no one fasts on her behalf, because a living person is not fasted for; rather, fasting is done on behalf of a deceased person, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):