Fidyah & Kafarrah

Fidyah

Fidyah is owed when a Muslim cannot keep a fast due to various unavoidable factors. Fidyah donations comprise of a donation to feed someone in need, for each day of fasting missed. Should a fast be missed due to illness or travel, where you are able to make up for it after the month of Ramadan, then this should be done. A Muslim would be justified in donating Fidyah if they can’t fast because of age, illness, or pregnancy.

Fidyah is £5 per fast missed or £150 for the month of Ramadan.

This payment is enough to cover the cost of feeding 1 person with meals for 1 day, or for 30 days as appropriate.

Kaffarah

Translated into English as “expiation” or “atonement”, Kaffarah is the donation a Muslim would offer if they intentionally break a fast without a valid reason to do so. Intentionally missing a fast carries a higher penalty than an unintentional breaking of the fast. Where Fidyah is enough to feed one person, Kaffarah covers the cost of feeding 60 people in need or repaying 60 fasts as a forfeit for each fast missed. This is based on the notion that the promise to fast in Ramadan is an oath made to Allah subhanahu wa ta'āla;

“God does not hold you accountable for your casual oaths, but He holds you accountable for the oaths which you make binding. The atonement for violating an oath is by feeding ten needy people.”  (Qur'an 5:89)

Kaffarah is £300 per day for each fast missed in Ramadan.