Is it permissible to feed the needy in lieu of missed days of fasting, especially those whose number is not remembered from many years ago, and to suffice with compensating for only one or two years of fasting? And is it obligatory to make up the fasting days along with feeding a needy person for each missed day of Ramadan that was not compensated for?

Whoever breaks their fast in Ramadan due to a legitimate Shar'i excuse, such as breastfeeding or illness, must make up the missed fasts when they are able to fast. Feeding the poor is not sufficient if one is able to fast. One must be meticulous in making up the missed fasts. Studying and exams are not valid excuses for breaking the fast. If one delays making up the missed fasts until another Ramadan arrives, then expiation (kaffara) becomes obligatory. This expiation is feeding one poor person a mudd (a measure of food) for each missed day. The expiations do not multiply with the arrival of subsequent Ramadans.