The Ruling on Delaying Making Up Fasted Days

Question: Several years ago, I fasted the entire month of Ramadan, but I was hospitalized and the doctors prohibited me from fasting. Because my health did not allow me to fast, I fed people for the entire month before the next Ramadan arrived. However, I have fasted Ramadan for several subsequent years, and I have made up 23 days of the month I missed, leaving 7 days remaining. Does feeding people for the previous month suffice? Or is it obligatory for me to make up the 7 days, even though my health does not allow me to fast from time to time?

Answer: It is obligatory for you to make up the seven days and feed one poor person for each day, the amount being half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of the staple food of the country, on account of delaying the fast from the Ramadan following the one in which you broke your fast. Allah the Exalted says: [Surat al-Baqarah: 185]. This is because a group of the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) issued a ruling that one who delays making up the fast must feed one poor person for each day in addition to making up the fast. May Allah guide them all, and may peace be upon you.