What is the ruling for someone who breaks the fast due to illness? Are they required to perform qada` or pay fidya? I am suffering from kidney and prostate issues and am continuously under treatment. This illness began before Ramadan of this year, which prevented me from fasting. What should I do?

Allah Almighty has made fasting obligatory upon every adult, sane, resident Muslim who is capable of fasting, whether male or female. He says, "O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous. [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So, whoever among you is ill or on a journey – then [fast] an equal number of other days. And for those who can fast with difficulty, there is a fidya (feeding of a poor person). And whoever voluntarily does good, it is better for him. But to fast is better for you, if you only knew" (Quran, 2:183–184).

Allah Almighty has permitted the elderly, those suffering from chronic illnesses whose recovery is not expected, and those engaged in strenuous work for which they cannot find any alternative to refrain from fasting if it would impose unbearable hardship. Such individuals are required to feed a poor person for each missed fast day, either with two full meals or their monetary equivalent, based on what they normally eat.

Based on this:

• If a person has an illness that is not expected to be cured and prevents fasting, according to a competent and trustworthy doctor or practical experience, then they take the ruling of someone who is very advanced in age. In this case, refraining from fasting is permissible and it is obligatory to feed a poor person for each missed fast day.
• If the illness is temporary and the person is able to fast at a later time, they must make qada` (make-up fasts) for the missed fast days, and no fidya (compensation) is required.

And Allah Almighty knows best.