Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam and is one of the most important obligations upon us. To make up for fasts that cannot be made up at a later date or those that have been missed on purpose, Allah has set donations of Fidya and Kaffarah to allow us to fulfil our religious duties while helping those who need it most. We have collaborated with Islamic Relief UK to detail the differences between Fidyah and Kaffarah and when and how to pay them. 

Fasting in the Qur’an and Sunnah

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

“There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Nasai)

Fidya and Kaffarah in the Qur’an and Sunnah

“Fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a journey, on other days later. For those who can fast only with extreme difficulty, there is a way to compensate – feed a needy person. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew.” (Al-Baqarah 2:184)

A man came to the Prophet ﷺ  and said, “I am ruined!” The Prophet ﷺ said, “What is the matter with you?” He said, “I have had sexual intercourse with my wife (while fasting) in Ramadan” The Prophet ﷺ said to him, “Can you afford to set free a slave?” He said, “No.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Can you fast for two successive months?” He said, “No.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Can you feed sixty poor persons?” He said, “I have nothing.” Later on an Irq (big basket) containing dates was given to the Prophet, and the Prophet ﷺ said (to him), “Take this basket and give it in charity.” The man said, “To poorer people than we? Indeed, there is nobody between its (i.e., Medina’s) two mountains who is poorer than we.” The Prophet then said, “Take it and feed your family with it.” (Bukhari)

This Hadith underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and seeking repentance through acts of charity and expiation. It also highlights the compassion and practicality of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as he presented three options in order to address the needs and circumstances of individuals in distress, ensuring that the expiation was within the man’s means. 

What is Fidya?

When someone cannot fast in Ramadan, for example due to permanent health issues or old age, and can’t make up the lost days afterwards, then they are obligated to pay for someone else to be fed.

How much is Fidya? 

The amount required to be paid for one missed fast which cannot be made up afterwards is £5 which is the average cost of one meal for one person in the UK.

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This article has been sponsored by Islamic Relief UK who treat your Zakat as Amanah. Islamic Relief UK distributes your Fidya and Kaffarah to the most vulnerable people across the world.

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When is Fidya paid? 

Fidya is paid before you miss a fast, or before the next Ramadan if you are sure you will not be able to make up the missed fast(s) due to permanent or other valid reasons.

What is Kaffarah?

Kaffarah is an obligatory donation when someone intentionally breaks their fast without a valid reason.

How much is Kaffarah? 

To atone for the intentionally broken fast, you must fast continuously for 60 days. However, if you are unable to do that, then you have to feed 60 poor people at a rate of £5 per person. This amounts to £300 for each intentionally missed/broken fast. 

When is Kaffarah paid? 

Payment can be made at any time throughout the year but the sooner the better.

Who receives Fidya and Kaffarah?

Fidya and Kaffarah can only be given to those who are Zakat eligible. Fidya and Kaffarah serve us both as individuals and as a community – by providing us with a way to make up for missed religious obligations and working as a financial support system for the most vulnerable across the world

However, in terms of a deliberately broken fast, the priority is to make up for the fasts by fasting for 60 consecutive days for each missed fast. Donating Kaffarah is only in cases where fasting is not possible for a valid reason. 

What is the difference between Fidya and Kaffarah?

If you deliberately break a fast without a valid reason and are unable to fast for 60 consecutive days for a valid reason, you must pay Kaffarah. 

Fidya is only paid if you miss a fast but have a valid reason to do so such as permanent ill health, and are unable to make up the fast at any other time in the future. However, if your health allows after your menstruation or pregnancy is over, you are required to make up for the missed fasts at a later time when you are able to do so.

It was narrated that ‘Aishah (RA) said: “We used to menstruate at the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), and he would order us to make up for the (missed) fasts.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

When paying Fidya, the payment for each missed fast is equivalent to feeding one person.

Unlike Fidya, which addresses factors beyond an individual’s control, Kaffarah is associated with actions such as breaking an oath, deliberately breaking a fast during Ramadan, or engaging in unlawful sexual relations. Kaffarah plays a crucial role in seeking forgiveness and purifying the soul after committing major sins, placing a strong emphasis on personal accountability.

To pay your Fidya and Kaffarah before Ramadan begins, head to Islamic Relief UK, who treat your donations as an Amanah, distributing it to those who need it the most across the world. May Allah accept our fasts and our Zakat, and allow us to be a means of support for the most vulnerable across the world.