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Who should give Fidhya (expiation) instead of Fasting?

Shaykh Yahya Silmy hafidhahullah

بــــــــــــــــســـــم الله الرحـــــــمــــن الرحـــــــــيــم

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على من لا نبي بعده اما بعد

It is not obligatory upon breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women and aged elders to fast the month of Ramadan but instead they should do an expiation (fidhya) for it.

وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِين

And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). (2:184)

Initially Allah made it obligatory to feed a poor when a person isn’t fasting, even if he has the ability to fast or not. Then Allah revealed the following rule.

فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ

So, whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month. (2:185)