Ignorantly abandoning making up for the missed days of Ramadan due to the menses

Q 2: Some ladies used to not make up for the days that they did not fast in Ramadan due to a Shar`y (Islamic legal) excuse, i.e. menstruation. This is because most of them were ignorant of the Islamic ruling regarding the obligation of making up these days while others were careless of the matter. One of these ladies did not know that making up such days was obligatory because of the lack of schools and awareness. She is now over forty five years old and her menstruation has ceased no less than four years ago. She would like an answer for her question and she insisted that I should inquire about this issue on her behalf. So please provide us with the answer and tell us what this lady should do especially that she is over forty five years of age?

A: In case the reality is exactly as what is mentioned in the question, this lady should do Tawbah (repentance to Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted) for her negligence and for not asking people of sound Islamic knowledge. Moreover, it is obligatory on her to make up for the number of days of Ramadan that she missed since she attained puberty. In case she does not know the exact number of days she missed, she should make up for a number of days until she thinks that she has most probably made up the days she missed during the past months of Ramadan. Besides, she has to feed one Miskin (needy) half a Sa` (1 Sa`=3 kg. Approx.) of the staple food of the country, whether fresh dates or not, for each day she missed. However, in case that she is poor and can not afford for such feeding; it is no longer obligatory on her to do so. (Part No. 10; Page No. 154) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.