Understanding Fidya: A Charitable Obligation for Missed Fasts During Ramadan
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What is Fidya?
If you don’t fast for any of the days of Ramadan, you’ll be required to pay a charitable form of compensation. You must pay fidya (fidyah) for fasts missed out of necessity, that cannot be made up afterward. The Fidya that Kashmir Welfare Foundation collects is spent on Iftar meals in Kashmir.
What is Fidya?
When someone cannot fast in Ramadan (due to ill health, traveling, or menstruation, for example), they should make up the missed fasts when they are able to do so. However, if they will not be able to make up the missed fasts (due to old age or chronic illness that is unlikely to improve), they should pay fidya for someone else to be fed.
“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 knew.”
(Qur’an | 2:184)
Why is Fidya Important?
Making up for missed fasts in Ramadan is a commandment from Allah. Paying fidya ensures that those who are unable to fast can still fulfill their religious obligations by feeding those in need.
Who Should Pay Fidya?
In the Hanafi school, fidya is only paid by a person who:
- Is unable to fast in Ramadan.
- Cannot make up for the missed fasts at any other time.
- Is not expected to ever regain the ability to make up the missed fasts.
All three conditions must be fulfilled; otherwise, one must make up the missed fasts rather than pay fidya.
The following individuals do not qualify to pay fidya:
- Someone who misses a few days of fasting due to temporary illness.
- Someone who accidentally or deliberately breaks their fast.
- Someone who cannot fast this year due to surgery but is expected to fast in the future.
- A pregnant or nursing woman, as she can make up her fasts later.
According to the Shafi’is and Hanbalis, fidya is also required for those who cannot fast in their lifetime due to illness or age, though the amount differs from the Hanafis. The Malikis consider paying fidya recommended but not mandatory.
Many scholars among the Malikis, Shafi’is, and Hanbalis also believe fidya is required for those who had the ability to make up missed fasts but did not do so before the next Ramadan. In such cases, they must pay fidya and make up the fasts (qadah).
How Much Do You Need to Pay?
For every missed day of fasting, one must pay the value of approximately 2kg of wheat. The exact amount varies by region, so it is advisable to consult a local scholar.
In the UK, the fidya amount is £5 per missed fast. This should provide one person with two meals or two people with one meal. If someone misses all the fasts of Ramadan 2025, they would need to pay £150.
Since there are different opinions among Islamic schools of jurisprudence on fidya payments, consulting a scholar is recommended if you are unsure how much to pay.
Is Fidya Compulsory?
Fasting during Ramadan is an obligation on all able Muslims and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. If someone is unable to fast and cannot make up the fasts later, paying fidya is compulsory. Fidya also serves as an essential form of charity, helping the less fortunate during the holy month.
The Importance of Fidya
Beyond being a religious duty, fidya allows eligible Muslims to support those who struggle daily with hunger. Sadly, 828 million people suffer from hunger globally, making fidya an essential act of compassion and solidarity.
Food is a basic necessity, yet many families face extreme difficulties in securing enough to eat. Without proper nutrition, children struggle in school, caregivers cannot work, and entire communities remain in crisis.
By donating your fidya to Kashmir Welfare Foundation, you can help ensure that struggling families receive vital food assistance during Ramadan. Your support can bring relief and sustenance to those in need.
When Should Fidya Be Paid?
Scholars have differing views on the timing of fidya payments. Some suggest it should be paid daily after breaking each fast or in a lump sum at the end of Ramadan. The Hanafi school permits fidya payment at the beginning of Ramadan (but not before) or at its conclusion.
If someone misses all the fasts of Ramadan 2025, they would need to pay £150.
How Does Kashmir Welfare Foundation Use Your Fidya Donations?
At Kashmir Welfare Foundation, we use your fidya donations to feed those in need across Kashmir.
Every Ramadan, we distribute food parcels containing essential items such as oil, flour, and dates to vulnerable families. Many of those we support have been affected by poverty, conflict, or natural disasters, and our aid provides them with relief and dignity.
Your fidya donation enables families to experience the blessings of Ramadan without the added stress of food insecurity. Help us make a difference this Ramadan—donate your fidya today!