Sawm of an elderly man

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Q: My father is more than seventy years old. For the last three years, he has been inflicted with a disease that I ask Allah to bestow His Mercy on him, and to make it an expiation for his sins. This disease has made him unable to fast, as fasting will cause him to lose his sight, hearing and his life. Therefore, he cannot observe Sawm (fast) during the month of Ramadan. Tell us what he should do.

A: If the reality is as you mentioned, then he is not supposed to fast during the month of Ramadan. He has a legal excuse for breaking his fast, but it is Wajib (obligatory) on him to feed a needy person half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of wheat, dates, rice, etc. Of the foodstuffs whereof he feeds his family for every day of Ramadan that he is unable to fast. Allah says: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can He also says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.