Fasting in Ramadan is Obligatory for every Muslim who meets the required conditions under Islamic law. However, Islam also provides concessions (rukhsah) for those who are unable to fast, including the elderly.
Older adults often experience significant physical decline. The condition, thus, makes fasting may pose risks to their health and safety. Therefore, understanding the ruling on fidyah (compensatory payment) for elderly individuals is essential to ensure that Islamic teachings are in line with the principle of public welfare (mashlahah).
Quranic Basis
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:184) states that those who are unable to fast must compensate by feeding a poor person for each missed day.
اَيَّامًا مَّعْدُوْدٰتٍۗ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَّرِيْضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ ۗوَعَلَى الَّذِيْنَ يُطِيْقُوْنَهٗ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِيْنٍۗ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهٗ ۗوَاَنْ تَصُوْمُوْا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“Fast a prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramaḍân. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person for every day not fasted. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 184)
Classical scholars interpret this verse as including elderly individuals who are permanently incapable of fasting. According to Tafsir Ibn Kathir, frail elderly people are not required to make up (qadha) missed fasts but instead must pay fidyah.
This interpretation, thus, reflects Islam’s principle that religious obligations are not meant to cause excessive hardship.
Muhammadiyah’s Position
The Council for Religious Opinion and Reform affirms that elderly individuals who are medically and permanently unable to fast are required to pay fidyah rather than make up the fast later. The inability must be continuous and without hope of recovery.
Fidyah is paid by providing one meal to a poor person for each missed day of fasting. The amount is generally equivalent to one mud (a classical measurement of staple food), which can be converted into modern weight measurements based on local staple foods. It may be in a form of raw food or ready-to-eat meals.
Fidyah may be paid daily or collectively at the end of Ramadan, as long as the rights of the poor are fulfilled.
Distinguishing Capability
It is important to distinguish between elderly individuals who experience mild difficulty and those who are truly incapable. If fasting does not endanger health, the obligation remains. Fidyah replaces fasting only when fasting is no longer safely possible.
Scholars agree that elderly individuals who are permanently unable to fast are not required to perform qadha. This view is supported by practices of companions such as Ibn Abbas and Ibn Umar.
Health and Maqasid Perspective
From the perspective of maqasid al-shari’ah (goals of Islamic law), allowing fidyah protects life (hifz al-nafs). Forcing vulnerable elderly individuals to fast may contradict this principle.
Contemporary medical research shows that fasting in old age—especially for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes—can increase risks of dehydration, hypoglycemia, and metabolic complications. Studies published in medical journals further indicate that health outcomes depend heavily on individual condition, and medical guidance often advises vulnerable elderly individuals not to fast.
Thus, replacing fasting with fidyah aligns both with Islamic legal principles and modern medical considerations. It reflects Islam’s values of ease (taysir), compassion, and the protection of human life.
Conclusion
In Islamic law, particularly according to Muhammadiyah’s Council for Religous Opinion and Reform, elderly individuals who are permanently unable to fast are not required to make up missed fasts. Instead, they fulfill their obligation by paying fidyah. This ruling demonstrates Islam’s balanced, humane, and welfare-oriented approach to religious practice.
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