The mercy behind missed fasts
In every home touched by Ramadan, the pre-dawn meal carries both anticipation and gratitude. Yet for some, it carries sorrow. Chronic illness, age, or frailty make fasting impossible. The heart yearns to join others in worship, but the body says no.
Allah, in His boundless mercy, does not leave such believers behind. Instead, He offers a path of compassion — Fidya.
“And for those who can fast only with difficulty, there is a ransom: feeding one poor person for each day.”
(Qur’an 2:184)
Fidya transforms limitation into opportunity. It replaces the hunger of the self with the nourishment of another. Through Fidya, a believer still shares in the spirit of Ramadan by ensuring that someone else’s table is not empty.
What is Fidya?
Fidya (or fidyah) is a charitable payment made by Muslims who cannot fast during Ramadan and are unable to make up the missed fasts later. This includes the elderly, the chronically ill, and those whose health would deteriorate by fasting.
In essence, Fidya allows worship to continue through service. It is not a substitute for fasting when fasting is possible — it is a divine allowance for those who genuinely cannot.
In the UK, the amount of Fidya is set at £5 per missed fast, representing the cost of feeding one person with two meals for the day. For someone unable to fast throughout Ramadan 2025, the total Fidya would be £150.
Every pound given through Kashmir Welfare Foundation is transformed into food parcels and Iftar meals distributed across Azad Kashmir.
The Qur’anic foundation of Fidya
The Qur’an frames Fidya not as a penalty, but as an act of redemption rooted in mercy. The word fidyah itself comes from the Arabic root meaning “to redeem” or “to compensate”.
When Allah says:
“Whoever does good voluntarily, it is better for him; but to fast is best for you, if only you knew.” (Qur’an 2:184)
He reminds us that charity, in all its forms, brings blessings — but that intention matters most. Fidya is therefore a bridge between worship and compassion, ensuring no believer feels distant from Ramadan’s rewards.
Who must pay Fidya?
Fidya applies only when three conditions are met:
- The person cannot fast during Ramadan.
- They cannot make up the fasts later.
- Their condition is permanent or chronic.
It typically includes:
- The elderly who are too weak to fast.
- Those with chronic illnesses requiring regular medication.
- Individuals whose health will not improve enough to fast again.
However, those who miss fasts temporarily — for travel, pregnancy, or short-term illness — are expected to make them up later (qadah) and are not eligible to pay Fidya instead.
How Fidya becomes food in Kashmir
In the mountains of Neelum and Hattian Bala, life can be unforgiving. Harsh winters, landslides, and isolation leave thousands of families struggling to access food. The 2024 AJK Statistical Yearbook reports that over 3.6 million people live in rural areas, where access to steady income and markets remains fragile.
Malnutrition among children under five still affects one in three (AJK Bureau of Statistics 2024). Many households survive on a single daily meal.
It is into these valleys that your Fidya travels. Every contribution made through Kashmir Welfare Foundation funds Iftar meals and food parcels — each one containing flour, rice, oil, and dates — delivered directly to families who would otherwise go hungry.
“When UK donors give Fidya, they are not just fulfilling an obligation,” says Abdul Basit, Trustee of Kashmir Welfare Foundation. “They are feeding entire communities and restoring dignity to families who have endured hardship for years.”
Fidya in Action (2025)
📦 7,200 families received food parcels across Muzaffarabad, Neelum & Kotli.
🍚 Over 86,000 meals distributed during Ramadan through Fidya donations.
💧 67% rural households reached in areas without piped water or reliable food access.
🌙 Every £5 Fidya = two meals for one person in Ramadan.
Why Fidya matters beyond obligation
Hunger is not just physical; it is emotional. It erodes dignity and hope. Fidya restores both.
By feeding someone in need, you relieve their suffering while also fulfilling a sacred duty to Allah. It is a cycle of mercy — the giver finds purification, and the receiver finds relief.
In Islam, charity is more than generosity; it is justice. Fidya ensures that the blessings of Ramadan reach those left behind by circumstance.
When and how to pay Fidya
Scholars agree that Fidya can be paid either:
- Daily, after each missed fast; or
- As a lump sum during or at the end of Ramadan.
According to the Hanafi school, Fidya should be paid during Ramadan, once fasting has begun, or immediately after it ends — not before.
The safest method is to pay early enough that food reaches the needy during the holy month itself
🌙 If you are unable to fast this Ramadan, you can still share in its blessings.
Donate your Fidya through Kashmir Welfare Foundation to feed fasting families in Kashmir.
How your Fidya transforms lives
Each Fidya meal is part of a broader network of hope. In remote villages where unemployment exceeds 9.6% and many households depend on daily wages (AJK Labour Force Survey 2024), food security changes everything.
Children can attend school with full stomachs. Mothers can focus on nurturing instead of worrying. Elderly parents can feel the warmth of community again.
“Allah’s mercy is multiplied when we extend it to others,” says a volunteer from Muzaffarabad. “We see it in every smile when a food parcel arrives at a home that had nothing.”
Through Fidya, your mercy travels miles — crossing mountains, reaching hearts.
The spiritual reward of Fidya
Every act of worship holds two dimensions: the obedience of the act itself, and the purification it brings to the soul. Paying Fidya brings both.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that feeding others, especially during Ramadan, multiplies reward. Fidya gives those unable to fast the chance to share in that blessing — a silent partnership between giver and receiver, bound by faith.
Why UK donors play a vital role
Kashmir’s economy remains fragile, and rural poverty continues to affect thousands of widows, orphans, and displaced families. For UK Muslims, Fidya represents more than obligation — it is a bridge between two worlds: a means to honour one’s faith while uplifting one’s ancestral homeland.
Your £5 may feel small, but in Kashmir it provides a meal that restores dignity. Together, UK donors have become a lifeline for many forgotten families.
Gift Aid Reminder
If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the Gift Aid box when donating. This allows Kashmir Welfare Foundation to claim an extra 25 percent from HMRC at no extra cost to you — turning every £1 into £1.25 and feeding even more families.
How your Fidya is distributed
- Assessment: Our field teams identify the most vulnerable households in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Neelum.
- Procurement: Local suppliers are chosen to support regional farmers.
- Distribution: Food parcels are delivered directly, with special priority for widows and orphans.
- Transparency: Every campaign is documented and audited for donor confidence.
This system ensures that your Fidya reaches those truly in need, aligning both with Islamic principles and humanitarian best practice.
Why give Fidya through Kashmir Welfare Foundation?
- 100% of your Fidya donation funds food for the needy.
- Operated directly by the British-Kashmiri diaspora, ensuring cultural and logistical understanding.
- Verified data, transparent delivery, and impact reporting.
- Focused on feeding families during Ramadan — not administrative overheads.
Why Give Now
Tonight, across Kashmir, thousands will break their fast with only tea and bread. Your £5 Fidya can add rice, oil, and hope to their table.
Fulfil your duty, multiply your blessings, and feed a fasting soul today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who should pay Fidya in Islam?
Anyone permanently unable to fast due to chronic illness, old age, or other lasting conditions must pay Fidya instead of fasting. Those temporarily unwell should make up the fasts later.
2. How much is Fidya per day in the UK?
For 2025, Fidya is £5 per missed fast. This equals the cost of feeding one person two meals in a day, ensuring each missed fast benefits someone in need.
3. Can I pay Fidya for someone who has passed away?
Yes. Fidya may be paid on behalf of a deceased loved one who owed fasts they could not complete, allowing their reward to continue through ongoing charity.
4. When should Fidya be paid?
Fidya can be paid during Ramadan or immediately after it. Many prefer to pay early so food reaches families during the holy month itself, maximising its impact.
5. How does Kashmir Welfare Foundation use my Fidya?
Your donation funds food packs and Iftar meals for vulnerable families in Kashmir. Each £5 provides two meals, distributed through verified local teams.
