Fidyah & Kaffarah

Donate to help feed a family this Ramadan.

What is Fidya?

When someone cannot fast in Ramadan and cannot make up the lost days at a later date. For example, because of ill health or pregnancy then they are required to pay to feed someone else.

How to calculate Fidya?

The Fidya amount to be paid for one missed fast is £5. To calculate how much Fidya you need to pay, multiply £5 by the number of fasts you have missed out of necessity.

If you are unable to keep any fasts during Ramadan for valid reasons then you would be required to pay the total amount of (£5 x 30) £150.

The difference between Fidya and Kaffarah?

Fidya is due as compensation for missing a fast with a valid reason, however, Kaffarah is only paid if you miss or break a fast with intent.

In the case of Fidya, one person needs to be fed (£5 per missed fast). However, when paying Kaffarah, the payment for each missed fast is the equivalent of feeding 60 people. (£5 x 60 per missed fast)

Who is eligible for Fidya?

Fidya is primarily for those who are suffering from long term illness or unable to fast due to old age (many scholars also include pregnancy in this category) and are not able to make up the fasts after Ramadan.

Why is Fidya important in Islam?

To make up for missing fasts Ramadan is a commandment from Allah SWT.

Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, will find it better for him; and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know. (Qur’an 2:184)

How much is kaffarah for Ramadan 2021?

To compensate for the missed/intentionally broken fast, you must fast continuously for 60 days. If you are unable to do that, then you are required to feed 60 poor people at a rate of £5 per person (the cost of an average meal in the UK). Therefore, this equates to £300 for each missed/intentionally broken fast.

How to calculate Kaffarah?

The monetary compensation required to be paid for one missed fast is £300 (60 x £5). To calculate how much you need to pay you must multiply £300 by the number of fasts you missed or broke intentionally.

Kaffarah for breaking a promise in Islam

Paying a kaffarah is necessary for breaking a promise/oath. Therefore, to make up for a broken oath, you must seek forgiveness from Allah SWT, and pay the amount equal to feeding 10 people at a rate of £5 per person (the cost of an average meal in the UK). Therefore, £50 would need to be paid as compensation.

What is the difference between Kaffarah and Fidya?

Kaffarah is payable if you deliberately miss or break a fast without a valid reason. However, fidya is only payable if you miss a fast and have a valid reason. The amount paid in kaffarah for each missed fast is the equivalent of feeding 60 people. However, when paying fidya, the payment for each missed fast is equal to feeding one person.

What is Kaffarah?

It must be paid for fasts deliberately missed in Ramadan, however if there is a valid reason, then fidya must be paid. Therefore, this penalty is much higher than that of fidya and should be avoided where possible.

When can you give Kaffarah?

It can be paid at any time throughout the year if an individual has missed any fasts during the holy month of Ramadan unnecessarily. Kaffarah must be paid as an obligatory penalty.