Our Sheikh! With regard to the sick person who waits for recovery and has to make up the fasting he missed, what will be the ruling if he dies during the period of waiting? Do his heirs have to give the compensation of feeding on his behalf or will the obligation be remitted?

According to one juristic opinion, someone should fast on his behalf, while according to another opinion a compensation of feeding should be given on his behalf. The position of Malik is that nothing should be done at all, because such a person anticipated to be able to fast. This is the case so long as the next Ramadan has not arrived, in which case a minor compensation ought to be paid on his behalf.

Dear sheikh, why fasting was made obligatory upon Muslims? What is the wisdom behind the obligation of fasting? We want to make benefit from your knowledge sheikh.

Almighty Allah said “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those before you, so that you may be God-fearing.” Being God-fearing is achieved through compliance to the commands of Allah and avoidance of His forbiddances inwardly and outwardly. Fasting is one of the catalysts and manifestations of God-fearing. It is a manifestation of submission to the commands of Almighty Allah and being patience with His commands and with fulfilling His injunctions upon His servants.
There are many other benefits on both worldly and hereafter sides, such as being in a state similar to that of the angels and giving up sensual and bodily wants so that one can draw closer to the heavenly world and thus soars to the level of excellence in doing good. Excellence in doing good is to worship Allah as though you see Him. During fasting you refrain from food, drink, whims and desires, which uplifts your spirituality to the level of worshiping Allah as though you see Him. Fasting is one of the Islamic mainstays and obligations prescribed by Almighty Allah to show total submission for Him. One thus follows what was sent down to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Fasting has so many benefits and virtues in this world and in the hereafter. Were it not for the long time this would take, I would give more explanation.

What about the differences in moon-seeing which is nearly the same as the question of brother Khalyfah from Germany who started fasting according to Libya moon-seeing. What is your opinion in this regard, sheikh?

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-giving. There is a difference of opinion whether it is obligatory to fast Ramadan upon seeing the moon anywhere in the world or each country should observe its own moon-seeing as in hadith of Kuryb. This is a kind of agreeable difference of opinion.
Moreover, as the times of Prayers differ from one country to the other, there should be no problem over the different times of fasting. The crescent may appear to one country and disappear to the other if it sets before sunset. When the crescent sets before sunset, it is considered unborn at that time. But if all Muslims fast at the same moon-seeing, which is the position of the majority, there will be no problem.
What is important is that we have to depend on seeing it. In the Sunnah we read “Observer fasting when you see it [i.e. the new moon] and break your fast when you see it [again]” and “Do not observe fasting until you see the crescent.” This is a strong assertion from the lawgiver. Thus it must be seen actually. Those who depend on astronomical calculations have to depend on such calculations that prove the ability to see the crescent. However, if the calculations say that it will be there but it cannot be seen by naked eye, this cannot be relied on. Thus we rely on such calculations in negation not in affirmation because when the crescent is in a state of conjunction, which I call the period of sinking down, it is unborn though it has come to existence. Therefore, we say that people have to see it.

I want to ask about whether sourness or sweetness that comes up to one’s throat without reaching the mouth breaks one’s fasting or not. After I have the predawn meal and go to bed, I feel like something comes up to my throat. Does this break my fast?

If this sour substance does not reach the throat, it is nothing. If one involuntarily vomits, there will be nothing upon him. But if he intentionally vomits, he will have to make the day up.
It is just that one sometimes feels of something sour which he has no control over.
He is not obliged to do anything, if he has no control over it and nothing comes out.

My question, sheikh, is that I underwent a surgery before Ramadan and now I wear a splint on my leg. How can I remove janabah (major ritual impurity) to read the Quran and perform other acts of worship, particularly in Ramadan?

You have to wash yourself up and wipe over the splint with water. You do not have to wash it but only wash the other parts. This wiping over the splint is sufficient for you according to the hadith.