What Is Fidya?
Scholar Verified
Written by: M. Hamza
Researcher: Ayesha Rahman
Reviewed by: Omar Abdullah
Last Review: 9 September 2026
Our Ramadan information is carefully examined by a qualified Islamic reviewer to help ensure that religious details, references, and guidance are presented accurately and responsibly.
Fidya (فدیہ) is a type of compensation that can be made by an individual who has been unable to fast in the month of Ramadan and will never be able to perform those fasts again in his or her lifetime. Fidya is usually made for the benefit of elderly individuals or those suffering from certain chronic illnesses that prevent them from fasting.
Who May Need to Pay Fidya?
Fidya may apply to a person who:
- Is elderly and permanently unable to fast.
- Has a disease which makes it impossible for him/her to fast either permanently or chronically.
- Is not expected to recover from his/her inability to fast so that he/she would be able to fast and hence fulfill his/her obligations.
In case a person is not able to fast due to a temporary reason such as illness, traveling etc. and will be able to fast in the future, then he/she falls under the category of Qada.
How Much Is Fidya?
The calculation of Fidya is usually related to the feeding of one needy person for each day that has not been spent fasting.
The actual amount of this payment and how it is to be paid – in either food or money form – may vary depending on the school of thought in Islam.
Because of this, Muslims need to be sure of the Fidya amount set out by a credible Islamic organization in their area during their particular Ramadan.
Example of Fidya
The idea behind this is that if a person is unable to fast forever and has missed ten fasts, one can feed ten people as an alternative to those ten missed fasts.
Fidya vs Kaffarah
These two terms are often confused.
| Fidya | Kaffarah |
|---|---|
| Compensation for certain circumstances, including permanent inability to fast | Expiation for certain specific violations |
| Commonly involves feeding one needy person per missed fast | Can involve prescribed forms of expiation depending on the violation |
| May apply to an elderly person permanently unable to fast | May apply when a person commits a specific violation for which Kaffarah is prescribed |
| Does not replace Qada when a person is temporarily unable to fast and can make it up later | Has its own specific conditions and rulings |
Fidya vs Qada
Qada means making up for a missed Ramadan fast at a later time.
For instance, a person who does not keep a number of fasts due to a temporary sickness but regains their health later will make up for the missed fasts rather than pay Fidya automatically.
Fidya usually applies in a situation where an individual has a permanent problem fasting and cannot make up for the missed days.
Can Fidya Be Given as Money?
There is a scholarly difference regarding whether Fidya may be paid in cash instead of food. Some scholars require food, while others permit monetary payment in certain circumstances.
Since there might be some variations regarding this matter in different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, it is always better to rely on the advice of an expert or Islamic authority in your surroundings.
Who Should Receive Fidya?
Fidya is usually meant to be given to poor or needy individuals who are eligible to get the aid according to the Islamic laws.
When giving Fidya to any charitable organization, it is essential to confirm from them that they accept Fidya.
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