š Part of our Qurbani in Makkah: Complete Guide series.
Fidya (also spelled Fidyah) is an Islamic obligation that allows a person to compensate for a missed fast by feeding a needy person, when fasting itself is not possible due to a valid Shariah reason. Many people confuse Fidya with Kaffara, or aren't sure whether their own situation actually requires it. This guide explains exactly what Fidya is, who must pay it, how much is required, how it's calculated, and how it differs from Kaffara.
What Does Fidya Mean?
Fidya is a form of expiation (compensation) required when someone is permanently or chronically unable to fast ā and is not expected to be able to make up the missed fast at any later date. Rather than fasting, they feed a poor or needy person for each day of fasting missed. It's a mercy built into the religion for those genuinely unable to fulfil the fast itself, rather than a punishment. The concept comes directly from the Quran, where Allah says that those who are able to fast only with great difficulty have the option to feed a needy person instead.
Who Is Required to Pay Fidya?
- The chronically ill ā those with a long-term illness that makes fasting medically unsafe, with no realistic expectation of recovery that would allow them to make up the fast later.
- The elderly ā those who are too frail or weak to fast, and are not expected to regain the strength to do so.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women ā in some scholarly opinions, if fasting poses a genuine risk to their health or their child's, though many scholars view this case as requiring make-up fasting rather than Fidya, so it's worth checking with a local scholar.
This is different from someone who is temporarily ill, traveling, or menstruating ā in those cases, the missed fast is simply made up on another day later, and Fidya is not the applicable ruling. The key distinguishing factor is whether the inability to fast is expected to be permanent or ongoing, versus a temporary circumstance that will resolve.
How Much Is Fidya?
Fidya is calculated per missed fast, and the amount is generally based on the cost of feeding one needy person a full day's meals ā traditionally interpreted as feeding one poor person, or an equivalent monetary value, for each day missed. Scholars differ slightly on the exact calculation method and currency-equivalent amount, so it's best to consult a local scholar or a trusted Islamic organization for the current calculated value where you live. Some scholars base the amount on a specific weight of staple food (such as wheat or rice), while others calculate an equivalent cash value that would cover a comparable meal.
Fidya for Multiple Missed Fasts
If a person has missed multiple fasts ā for example, an entire month of Ramadan due to chronic illness ā Fidya is owed for each individual day missed, not as a single lump payment. This means someone missing all 29 or 30 days of Ramadan would owe Fidya multiplied by that number of days. It can be paid to the same person over multiple days, or split among different needy individuals, depending on what is practical.
Fidya vs. Kaffara: What's the Difference?
Fidya and Kaffara are often used interchangeably, but they actually apply to quite different situations:
- Fidya is for those permanently or chronically unable to fast due to age or illness ā it isn't a penalty, simply a substitute act of worship.
- Kaffara is a much heavier expiation, owed by someone who deliberately breaks a fast without any valid excuse ā typically requiring 60 consecutive days of fasting, or feeding 60 people if that isn't possible.
Read our full comparison in Fidya vs Kaffara: What's the Difference?
Common Mistakes People Make With Fidya
A few misunderstandings come up often. Some people assume Fidya applies to any missed fast, when in fact temporary circumstances like travel or short-term illness simply require a make-up fast, not Fidya. Others assume a single Fidya payment covers an entire month, when it's actually calculated per day missed. And some delay paying Fidya indefinitely, when it's generally recommended to fulfil it as soon as reasonably possible once the obligation is confirmed.
How MakkahZabiha Fulfills Your Fidya
When you order Fidya through MakkahZabiha, our team feeds poor and needy people on your behalf in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, fulfilling your obligation according to Islamic guidelines. You'll receive confirmation by WhatsApp and email once it's complete, so you have peace of mind that your obligation has been discharged correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Fidya in advance, before Ramadan starts?
Many scholars permit paying Fidya in advance if it's already known that a person will be unable to fast, though it's best to confirm the specific ruling with a local scholar for your situation.
Does Fidya have to be given in food, or can it be money?
Traditionally Fidya involves feeding a person directly, but many scholars and Islamic organizations accept an equivalent monetary value that covers a person's meals, which is then used to provide food.
Is Fidya the same obligation every year?
If your inability to fast is permanent (such as chronic illness or old age), Fidya is owed each Ramadan for every day you're unable to fast, for as long as that condition continues.
How will I know my Fidya has been fulfilled?
You'll receive a confirmation message by WhatsApp and email once your Fidya has been distributed to those in need in Makkah.
If I miss 20 days of fasting, do I pay Fidya once or 20 times?
Fidya is owed per missed day, so 20 missed fasts would require Fidya calculated for each of those 20 days, not a single payment.
Can I give my Fidya to a family member who is needy?
In general, Fidya should go to those genuinely in need, and many scholars allow this to include needy relatives as long as they qualify as eligible recipients, similar to other forms of charity.