Who Can Fast?

In Islam, certain conditions should be met before a person becomes eligible for fasting. Like all other rituals of worship, one should be a Muslim, have reached the age of puberty and be free of any mental disabilities. One who travels or is not capable of fasting due to an illness is exempt from the fasting responsibility. People with conditions like mentioned above make up their fasts when their conditions get normal. Similarly, pregnant women and women who breastfeed their babies are exempt as well and should make up their fasts some other time. People who are too old to fast or are too sick and have no hopes of recovery should give fidya for every day of fast they can not fulfill.(İlmihal, s. 394-395)  The Fidya is the financial price for the people who can not carry out their duty of fasting because of various reasons. Fidya is to feed a person for a single day, or give a person money of the same worth. It is the same amount as the "Sadaqah al-Fitr." And it is only a minimum amount. People who have more to spare may give a larger amount.