Kaffarah and Fidya are charitable obligations that should be paid by anyone who is either unable or simply does not observe the Sawm during the holy month of Ramadan.
For those who cannot fast for an acceptable reason, including illness, travel, or because of medication, then Fidya must be paid. For those who miss a fast on purpose, you can make up for this with a continuous 60-day fast or by feeding 60 poor and needy people. Not all reasons for missing a day’s fast are considered to be valid, and if this is the case, you will be expected to make a Kaffarah payment.
Both Fidya and Kaffarah are compulsory payments for all Muslims who are eligible to take part in fasting during Ramadan:
The Fidya meaning dictates that those who cannot observe the Sawm for a good reason should pay a fee, which is the determined value of feeding one hungry person for a one-time meal. Anyone exempt from fasting, such as a pregnant, breastfeeding, or menstruating woman, someone who is considered too old and/or frail, someone travelling, or anyone disqualified on medical grounds, is expected to make this payment.
The Fidya amount in 2024 will be confirmed closer to the start of Ramadan; however, it is likely to be £5. This cost covers the amount needed to provide one person with one meal. If you did not observe any of the days of fasting (for an acceptable reason), you would be expected to pay Fidya for all 30 days of Ramadan. If Fidya is set at £5, then the full month’s Fidya due will be £150.
The Kaffarah meaning dictates that payment must be made by any Muslim eligible to observe Sawm who knowingly carries out a break of fasting in Ramadan without good reason.
The set price of Kaffarah is the value of feeding 60 people each day (the value of which is determined by the Fidya value confirmed close to the time of Ramadan). The value of Kaffarah is that of Fidya multiplied by 60 (in order to feed 60 hungry people). Therefore, if the price of Fidya is set at £5, a single day's Kaffarah payment is £300.
If you are sick and have been advised against fasting by a medical professional, missing your fast can be repaid in the form of £5 Fidya payments per missed day. On the other hand, if you are sick but still capable of fasting safely and choose not to, you will have to pay Kaffarah by completing 60 days of continuous fasting or donating funds to feed 60 people in need per missed fast.
If you begin your Kaffarah on the first day of the Islamic month, then fasting continuously for two full Islamic months will suffice for the Kaffarah. This applies even if the total number of days in the two months equals 58 days (in the case of 29-day months).
You can begin your continuous 60 days of fasting at any point in the Islamic year, so long as Eid does not fall within those days, as it is not permissible for any Muslim to fast during the festival.
The only exceptions for Kaffarah are valid medical reasons, such as medical conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding or travelling. Any woman who deliberately misses a fast and chooses a continuous 60-day fast to make it up is allowed to postpone fasting days for menstruation; however, this is the only interruption allowed.
Any Muslims who do not observe Sawm during Ramadan, involuntarily or otherwise, must pay either Fidya or Kaffarah, as this is an important part of the Islamic faith. Sawm makes up one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and observing the fast helps to bring us closer to Allah (SWT). Demonstrating such a level of self-discipline allows for great spiritual reflection, which is not possible without the annual fast, which pleases Allah (SWT).
The cost of Fidya is calculated based on the cost of feeding a person two meals per day made of wheat, rice, or other local staple crops where the donor resides. Each meal consists of one ‘mudd’ (1/4 sa’) – this is measured to be the amount of crop which one person can hold in two hands cupped together (approximately 0.75 of a litre).
Based on the method for calculating Fidya, in the UK the current Fidya price is £5 per person per day, although prices may change for Ramadan 2024. The price of Fidya will be confirmed before the start of Ramadan.
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