The rich cannot buy themselves out of fasting!

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"Specific days (are designated for fasting); if one is ill or traveling, an equal

number of other days may be substituted. Those who can fast, but with

great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day

of breaking the fast. If one volunteers (more righteous works),

it is better.  But fasting is the best for you, if you only knew."  

2:184

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A number of wrong translations and interpretations of 2:184 led to an erroneous belief that grants the rich the choice to substitute their fasting with feeding the poor!

The following is the relevant section of 2:184 as (wrongly) translated by Marmaduke Pickthall:

" .... for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need ..."

According to this erroneous translation, Pickthall and also a number of other scholars grant those who are well off the choice of either fasting or feeding the poor!

Needless to say, this is a false claim that contradicts the Quran.  From the correct translation of this verse (see above) it is clear that the concession decreed by God is only for those who can only fast but with great difficulty, that may be due to medical or health reasons of a permanent nature.  We are told in verse 185 that those who are going through temporary medical or health problems are to substitute other days for the the ones they missed.  In other words they are NOT exempt from fulfilling their obligation of fasting.

It is thus illogical that God would not exempt the sick from the obligation of fasting, yet on the other hand allow the rich such a concession!

Therefor the rule is as follows:

1-  As a general rule, fasting is decreed on all believers who witness the start of the month of Ramadan:

"O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you" 2:183

"Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein."  2:185

2-  Those who are temporary ill or travelling, may refrain form fasting the relevant days and fast other days when they are well or return from travelling:

" .... if one is ill or traveling, an equal number of other days may be substituted." 2:184

3-  Those who's illness or health problems are of a permenant nature may substitute fasting with feeding the poor:

"Those who can fast, but with great difficulty, may substitute feeding one poor person for each day of breaking the fast." 2:184

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