˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days.1 But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty,2 compensation can be made by feeding a needy person ˹for every day not fasted˺. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.
Explanation
The variation of singular/plural amounts to the same meaning, as it is agreed that each person is liable (per missed fast) for one needy person’s daily food. This ruling applies to those who are unable to fast in Ramadan or make them up later, or who would experience severe hardship due to old age, health conditions, and so on. Some scholars argue that the ruling used to be more open, and applied to another set of fasts before Ramadan was obligated. The two grammatical constructs (‘atf bayan, apposition and idafah, annexation) also give rise to the same meaning.