The Fidyah For Missed-Fasting Days

Fidyah Meaning

Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars, the fundamental principles of Islam. 

It is obligatory worship due to every adult, sane Muslim. However, Allah (SWT) has made exceptions for a group of Muslims during the days of fasting. Such as;

1. The pregnant.
2. The elderly.
3. And Muslims with chronic illnesses.

Fidya is an obligatory donation that must be made when a Muslim cannot fast for a legitimate reason and they cannot make up these fasting days after Ramadan.

According to Islamic law, your Fidyah donation must provide one impoverished person with two meals for each fast that you’ve missed.

The Fidya is an exception from Allah, The Most Merciful, to his Muslim servants who live in necessary conditions during fasting days.

Fidyah Importance in Islam

Islamic rulings aim to create a spirit of solidarity and harmony among the Islamic community members. 

Islamic law is considered a societal approach that aims at the land’s reconstruction and development. Therefore, it made ways to expiate sins of compensating for obligations such as fasting in donating a certain amount of food or money to the poor and needy. And this is the solidarity and harmony in society.

Fidyah in Quran 

There are many verses in the Holy Qur’an that teach us about the Islamic roles regarding Fasting during Ramadan. It clearly explains that Muslims who are unable to fast are not obliged to fast because they are incapable of doing so. Therefore, they should feed one poor person each day. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope”

[al-Baqarah 2:286]

“and [Allaah] has not laid upon you in religion any hardship”

[al-Hajj 22:78] 

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)”

[al-Baqarah 2:184]

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).

184. [Observing Sawm (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know”

Fidyah in Sunnah

In addition to the verses in the Holy Qur’an, the Fidya is also mentioned clearly in Sunnah. 

al-Bukhaari (4505) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: 

This has not been abrogated. It refers to old men and old women who are not able to fast, so they should feed a poor person each day. 

Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni (4/396): 

If fasting is too difficult for an old man or an old woman and will cause them intense hardship, then they are allowed not to fast, and they should feed one poor person each day. If they are also unable to feed a poor person, then they do not have to do anything, for “Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope” [al-Baqarah 2:286]. If a sick person has no hope of recovery, he is allowed not to fast, and he should feed one poor person each day because he comes under the same rule as an old man. 

Fidyah Amount

For every day of missed fasting, one has to pay the value of approximately 2kg of wheat or one and a half kilograms of rice.

Fidyah Calculator for Ramadan 2023

Fidyah calculations differ from country to country, according to how much it costs one meal for an adult person. Nevertheless, in general, we can say that £5 Fidya for each missed fast should provide one person with two meals or two people with one meal. However, if someone misses all the fasts of Ramadan, they would need to pay £150.

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Giving Cash as a Fidyah

Muslims have the choice of whether to pay their Fidya as cash or as meals. Now, for those who prefer to donate their Fidya as cash, they can calculate for every day of missed fasting. How much does it cost one meal for an adult, or how much is the value of 2kg of wheat, or one and a half kilograms of rice, multiply this value by the number of missed fasting days, then donate this amount to the poor and needy.

Fidyah Donation

As mentioned earlier, Muslims choose what form they prefer to donate their Fidya.

Some by giving cash, others by providing meals, whether by inviting a poor Muslim brother/ sister to your Iftar table or donating these meals or their cash value to a charity or organization that provides meals for the poor and needy. Specialized charities and organizations like Bonyan Organization can help you distribute your Fidyah donations.

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