The Chief Imam of Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ustadh Alaran, explained that elderly people are exempt from fasting but must feed at least one poor person each day. In an interview on Sunday, he said, “The elderly are caught between two positions: to fast or not to fast. If a person cannot fast because of old age or other reasons, he should feed one poor person every day. For those who can fast only with difficulty, they should also feed a poor person each day (Q2v184).”
This rule applies to both elderly men and women who are unable to fast; they must feed one poor person in lieu of each missed day of fasting. Age is a key factor in determining exemption, and the decision is based on an individual’s physical condition and the relevant rules. Complete exemption is granted to menstruating women and women experiencing postpartum bleeding; they should wait until their periods end before resuming the fast or making up the missed days.
Fasting becomes obligatory from adolescence until death. For those who have not yet reached puberty, fasting serves as a teaching tool to prepare them for the future. However, Allah exempts those who are ill or traveling; they may break their fast for the duration of the illness or journey and make up the days later (Q2 v184‑185).
The cleric added, “It is not obligatory for the sick or travelers to fast, according to Qur’anic evidence. If an ill person or traveler finds no hardship in fasting, it is preferable to fast. If they experience hardship, breaking the fast is preferred.”
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