Description
What is Fidya?
What is ‘Fidya’?
FIDYA is a compensative payment against a missed fast during the holy month of Ramadhan under certain circumstances.
The following are some scenarios when fidya would be due:
Those who cannot fast in Ramadan due to illness and their illness continues until the Ramadan of the following year. Such people must give fidya for each missed fast but do not have to make up the fasts they missed.
Those who cannot fast in Ramadan due to needing medication and they cannot fast until the Ramadan of the following year. Such people must make up the fasts they missed. And the obligatory precaution is that they must also give fidya for each missed fast.
Pregnant women approaching the time of delivery who cannot fast in Ramadan as it would be harmful for them or for the child in their womb must give fidya for each missed fast. Such women must also make up the fasts they did not keep.
Nursing mothers who cannot fast in Ramadan as it would be harmful for them or for the child they are nursing must give fidya for each missed fast. Such women must also make up the fasts they did not keep.
Note: If there is another way of giving milk to the child – for example, by using a wet nurse or a bottle – then based on obligatory precaution it is not permitted for the woman to break her fast.
Those who find it excessively difficult to fast due to old age. Such people must give fidya for each missed fast but do not have to make up the fasts.
Those who cannot fast in Ramadan due to a legitimate excuse and after Ramadan that excuse expires but they intentionally do not make up the fasts before the following Ramadan. Such people must make up the fasts they missed and give fidya for each missed fast.
How much do I need to pay?
750 grams of staple food e.g., Wheat, barely etc. per
missed fast (30 fasts x 750 grams = 22.5kgs)
Can I pay Fidya in monetary form?
No, you can only pay in the form of distributing the staple food to the deserving families, however: You may decide to choose an Agent whom you give the cash, and they then distribute on your behalf after purchasing the food.
Some facts about fidya
Fidya is given to poor Shia Muslims.
Fidya for multiple days can be given to one person.
It is permissible to give fidya payments to an agent/representative (wakil), such as a trusted charity, who will buy the required food and distribute it on the person’s behalf.
When must fidya be given?
Fidya does not need to be given straight away, but neither should it be delayed negligently. And the recommended precaution is to give it promptly.
How do I pay my fidya?
1) You can pay at the Jamaat Office in Cash.
2) At the desks in the Mosque Compound.
3) By clicking on the link http://ksijd.ar/fidya
More information
Please note that the above rules are only an overview of the rulings on fidya according to His Eminence al-Sayyid al-Sistani (may Allah protect him). For more information, please see Islamic Laws.
For specific questions about your situation, please visit Ask An Alim, where you can submit a question and get a response from an Alim, or view similar questions which may apply to you
