For the elderly who face difficulties in fasting, or are suffering from chronic and long-term illnesses, it is permissible for them to break their fast.

When they are unable to observe fasting, then they would have to pay fidyah, which is giving of food (or something of similar value) to the poor according to the number of days they are unable to fast. This is the leniency given by Allah s.w.t. to those who are unable to observe fasting.

Ibnu Abbas r.a. said: “Leniency is given to those who are aged, but he is required to give food to the poor and the needy for each day he didn’t fast, and he is not needed to replace the days he did not fast.” (Narrated by Ad-Daruqutni and confirmed by Hakim.)

Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran which means: “For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew.” (Surah Al-Baqarah,

verse 184).