What should a 44-year-old woman, afflicted with diabetes, do regarding making up for missed Ramadan fasts from years past, the number of which she does not remember, knowing that she did not make up the fasts for three consecutive years due to pregnancy and diabetes and only offered expiation, and is it permissible for her to delegate someone to fast on her behalf as a make-up along with expiation?

A person afflicted with diabetes has different situations regarding fasting. If a doctor informs her that she is permanently unable to fast, then she is not obligated to fast or make up the days. However, she must pay a fidyah (definition) (expiation) for each day. Similarly, fidyah is due for the days she previously broke her fast and delayed making them up until the next Ramadan (definition) without a valid excuse. If she is able to make up the fasts during any season of the year, then it is obligatory for her to do so. An expiation for delaying the make-up fasts is due if she neglected them despite being able to make them up, unless the delay was due to forgetfulness or ignorance of the impermissibility of the delay. It is not permissible to pay money to someone to fast or make up fasts on her behalf, as no one fasts on behalf of a living person.