Ruling of Fasting for an Old man or woman by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer

There is a consensus on the point that old men and women who are unable to keep fast then they should not fast (and avoid bringing harm to their health) and instead (as allah mentioned) feed a poor for per day of fast 

[Ref: Kitab al-Ijma` of Ibn Mundhir (129)] 

Ibn `Abbas (radhiallahu `anhu) said " Every old man and woman who is unable to keep a fast should instead feed one poor person for per fast 

[Ref: Saheeh Bukhaari 4505] 

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said after reciting the verse 

a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of days. And upon those who are able - a ransom of feeding a poor person. [Qur`an 2:184] 

"Old men who do not have the means or ability to fast should not fast. Rather they should provide one poor person half sa`a wheat per fast 

[Ref: Sunan ad-daraqutni  2/209 H:2361 with a hasan chain as shaykh ghulam mustafa said] 

Another narration states that the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu `alayhi wa sallam) said : 

"he should give one mudd (approx. half a kilo) " 

It is reported about Anas ibn Malik (radhiallahu `anhu) that he couldn't fast (the ramadan) of a year so he prepared the dish called tharid  in a tub and fed 30 masaakeen from it 

[Ref: Sunan daraqutni 2/206; H : 2365 with an authentic chain] 

Translated from : ماہنامہ السنہ شمارہ ۱۱