Q: I have been ill for three years. I am receiving treatment in Ha'il, Riyadh and Madinah Hospitals. I can neither fast nor offer some Salahs (Prayers). Should I make up for the missed days of Sawm (fasting) during the last three years or expiate for them? I am in dire need of your help, so please advise as soon as possible.

A: First, It is not permissible to delay Salah beyond its due time; you should offer Salah on time as much as you can, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, You should offer Salah while standing. If you cannot do, offer it while sitting; and if you cannot do even that, offer it while lying on your side. A patient is allowed to combine the Zhuhr (Noon) and `Asr (Afternoon) Prayers in the time of either of them, and the Maghrib (Sunset) and the `Isha' (Night) Prayer in the time of either of them. Second, the Sawm that you delayed is still a debt on you until you recover by the will of Allah. If you recover, you should make up for these days, as Allah stated, ...but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. If the illness is chronic, may Allah forbid, you should give a needy person half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of food for each day in which you broke your Sawm. (Part No. 8; Page No. 84) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.