Fidya

FIDYA is a compensative payment against a missed fast during the holy month of Ramadhan under certain circumstances.

Enter the number of fasts you would like to pay fidya for and your payment details

What is Fidya?

What is ‘Fidya’?

FIDYA is a compensative payment against a missed fast during the holy month of Ramadhan under certain circumstances.

What is the ruling on paying my Fidya?

Ruling 185:

If a person is unable to fast during the month of Ramadan due to illness, and their illness continues until the next Ramadan—preventing them from making up the missed fasts (Qaḍā) throughout the entire year—then they are not required to make up the missed fasts. However, they must give Fidyah (compensatory feeding) for each missed day, which consists of one Mudd (approximately 750 grams) of food such as wheat, barley, bread, or rice to a poor person. This is also referred to as annual Fidyah.

Ruling 186:

The Kaffārah (expiation) mentioned in the previous ruling (annual Fidyah) cannot be given before the arrival of the next Ramadan while there is still time left in the year to make up the missed fasts. Instead, one must wait until the time for making up the fasts has passed.

For example, if a person has 30 days of Fidyah from the previous Ramadan, they can begin paying for 15 days once the 15th of Sha‘bān has passed. Similarly, if someone owes Fidyah for 10 days, they may start paying for 5 days after the 25th of Sha‘bān.

Ruling 188:

If a person with a chronic illness who cannot fast has been paying Fidyah before its due time due to ignorance of the ruling, they may retroactively count what they have given each year towards the corresponding past year(s). If the total amount they have paid so far covers the required Fidyah for the previous years, those obligations are considered fulfilled. In this case, they would only need to pay the Fidyah for the most recent year after its due time has arrived.

A similar ruling applies to someone who has paid the Kaffārah for delaying Qaḍā fasting earlier than required.

The following are some scenarios when fidya would be due:

Those who cannot fast in Ramadhan due to illness and their illness continues until the Ramadhan 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 Ramadhan 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 Ramadhan 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 Ramadhan 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 Ramadhan due to a legitimate excuse and after Ramadhan that excuse expires but they intentionally do not make up the fasts before the following Ramadhan. 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 contact the Tabligh Office.