Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen explains that Allah, in His mercy, has provided concessions for those who face significant hardship in fasting Ramadan. These individuals are divided into categories based on their excuse.

1. The Traveler: A person on a journey is permitted to break their fast and must make it up later, day for day. This is a concession from Allah, regardless of whether the travel is difficult or easy. The traveler has the choice to fast or not, though it is better to take the concession if fasting causes any difficulty.

2. The Sick: Sickness is of two types:

• Temporary Sickness: If an illness is temporary (like a fever or injury) and there is hope of recovery, the sick person is permitted to break their fast if fasting would cause them harm, increase their illness, or delay their recovery. They must make up for the missed days once they are healthy.
• Chronic Sickness: If a person has a permanent or chronic illness from which there is no hope of recovery (such as certain cancers, kidney disease, or severe diabetes), and they are unable to fast, they are not required to fast. Instead, they must pay an expiation (fidyah) by feeding one poor person for each day of Ramadan that they miss.

3. The Pregnant or Breastfeeding Woman: If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears harm for herself or for her child by fasting, she is permitted to break her fast. Her situation is detailed as follows:

• If she fears for herself, or for herself and her child together, she breaks the fast and is only required to make up the missed days later.
• If she fears only for her child (e.g., a breastfeeding mother fears her milk supply will diminish, but her own health is not at risk), she must both make up the missed day and pay the fidyah (feeding one poor person) for each day she misses. This is because her situation is analogous to one who breaks the fast for the sake of another, which requires both makeup and expiation.