We still discuss sickness that drops the obligation of fasting. You mentioned the categories of sickness including severe, slight, and mild. But who decides to which category the sickness belong to?

To determine such a point, reference must be given to experts or the sick person himself. This has become clear in this age as we have doctors. The issue is how to ascertain the presence of the effective cause of the ruling; that is, to decide whether this disease remits the obligation of fasting or not. There are diseases such as diabetes or nephritis where one may not fast. It is the doctor here who determines the level of seriousness that gives license to the person or even makes it obligatory upon him to break his fasting.
I should repeat the word obligatory in this context, because a lot of people are not convinced to give up fasting and think that they thus do an act of seeking nearness to Allah while they really do not, because Almighty Allah has remitted such a person from the obligation of fasting and thus breaking his fast has become the obligation he has to fulfill.

There is something we face in Western countries as you know, which is related to the doctor. Is it a condition that the doctor has to be a Muslim?

The doctor, who should decide break of fast because of sickness, has to be trustworthy and experienced. His being a Muslim is not a condition. Al-Harith ibn Kaladah was not a Muslim; nevertheless, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) authorized him to give prescription. Truthfulness and experience are the basic requirements and being a Muslim is not a condition. This is what we should do in Western countries.

What about temporary and chronic sickness regarding fasting and what is the ruling of the sick person in both cases? May Allah bless you.

In the case of chronic sickness, one ought to give the compensation of feeding. He neither has to fast, nor to make up the fasting, nor to attempt to fast to know whether he will be able to continue or not, for his sickness thus may grow severe. But with regard to temporary sickness, one does not give compensation but waits until he gains recovery to make up the fasting. This is the difference between the two cases: the ruling of the first case is to give the compensation of feeding while the ruling of the other is to wait until he can make it up after recovery.

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.