Q:
My mother passed away. Before she died, she mentioned to me that she had to make up for two months of Ramadan in two years.
The month of Ramadan came while she was in the postpartum period, and she died without making up for them. Women at that time used to be involved in agriculture work in addition to housework. She lived for about 50 years. Should I fast on her behalf or feed sixty poor people and if so, what is the manner of feeding? Should I slaughter some sheep and distribute the meat among sixty poor houses or should I pay the value of food? Please guide us, may Allah reward you with the best. I want to absolve her.
A:
It is better to fast on behalf of your mother, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
If anyone dies in a state (that he had to complete) some days of fasting, his heir must fast on his behalf.
(Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The "heir" mentioned in the Hadith includes relatives. If you or any other relative are not able to fast, you should feed one poor person for each day from your money or her estate. One poor person is to be given half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) from the staple food of the country. If you give all the food to one poor person, it is sufficient.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.