Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

 

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving

  

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad.

 

If your mother is of sound health, then she ought to make up the fasts she missed or failed to observe in the past. If however, she is weak and unable to do so, then she is allowed to offer Fidyah (compensation).

 

Allah says: “As for those who cannot afford to fast, let them offer the Fidyah of feeding a poor person for each day.”  (Al-Baqarah 2: 184)

 

Fidyah is to feed a poor person for each day of the fast she has missed. It is estimated to be the cost of a meal. In our Canadian standard today, it is deemed to be equivalent to ten Canadian dollars to be given for each day.

 

She should give the Fidyah directly to the poor if she can; otherwise, she can entrust it to reputable agencies who can be trusted with such tasks. Islamic Relief of Canada, Human Concern International are legitimate charities. They allow the donor to specify whether the donation is for Zakah or Fidyah or Sadaqah.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.