Chronic or long-term illnesses are health conditions that last for an extended period–generally one year or more–and require ongoing treatment. In relation to fasting during Ramadan, the question then arises: how should people with chronic illnesses make up for missed fasts.
First, fasting during Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam and a command from Allah that is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman who has reached maturity (baligh). However, Allah has granted exemptions for certain individuals who have valid reasons preventing them from fulfilling this obligation.
One such exemption applies to those who suffer from chronic or long-term illnesses. People with these conditions often cannot fully recover and may have limited daily activities. Examples include stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and similarly severe conditions. If they were to fast, it would cause significant hardship and difficulty.
This aligns with the fundamental principle of Islam, which is to bestow mercy upon humanity and not to impose undue hardship. Indeed, the verses concerning fasting explicitly emphasize that its guiding principle is ease, as Allah says:
يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ [البقرة : 185]
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” [Q.S. Al-Baqarah: 185].
Based on this principle, certain groups, including those with chronic illnesses, are granted rukhsah (religious concessions) in observing the fast.
In the preceding verse, Allah also says:
فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ [البقرة: 184]
“So whoever among you is still or on a journey, then an equal number of days are to be made up later. And upon those who are able to fast only with hardship is a ransom: feeding a poor person. And whoever volunteers goodness, it is better for him. But to fast is better for you, if you only knew.” [Q.S. Al-Baqarah: 184].
People with Chronic Illnesses are Obligated to Pay Fidyah
Individuals with chronic or long-term illnesses are classified as having a permanent excuse. This means that if they were to fast, they would experience extreme difficulty, severe hardship, or suffering. For this group, Islam grants a concession allowing them not to fast, but they are obligated to pay fidyah instead.
This differs from those with temporary excuses, such as short-term illness or travel who are required to make up (qadha’) their missed fasts at a later time.
The fidyah referred to here is feeding one poor person for each day of fasting missed, with a minimum amount of one mud of staple food (approx. 600 grams). This ruling is based on the cited verse:
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ [البقرة : 184]
“And upon those who are able to fast only with hardship is a ransom: feeding a poor person.” [Q.S. Al-Baqarah: 184].
However, even though fidyah is obligatory, if a person is financially incapable of paying it due to poverty, then there is no obligation upon them. This is in accordance with Allah’s word:
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا [البقرة: 286]
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
Reference:
https://fatwatarjih.or.id/fidyah-dengan-uang-dan-dibayarkan-sekaligus/
