How to Pay Fidyah

The Original Form

Fidyah was prescribed in its original form as feeding a poor person — providing one full meal for each missed fast. This can be done directly by preparing and giving food to a poor Muslim, or by giving the cash equivalent to someone who will use it for that purpose.

Who Should Receive Fidyah?

Fidyah must go to a poor or needy Muslim — the same categories that receive Zakat and Fitrah. It cannot go to a wealthy person, a non-Muslim, or anyone the payer is financially obligated to support.

Cash or Food?

The original ruling is food — one Sa' of a staple grain per missed fast. The majority of contemporary scholars in the West permit paying the cash equivalent. Both are valid positions. If you pay cash, give it to a trusted person or organization that will use it to feed the poor directly.

How Many People Must Be Fed?

One poor person must be fed for each day of fasting missed. If you missed 30 days, 30 poor people must each receive one meal. The safer opinion is to feed multiple people where possible, rather than feeding one person multiple times.

What About Previous Years?

If you owe Fidyah for missed fasts from previous Ramadans, pay for all outstanding days. Do not delay further.

Paying on Behalf of a Deceased Person

If a person dies with outstanding Fidyah they were unable to pay, their family may pay it on their behalf from the estate. The Prophet ﷺ indicated that fasting debts can be fulfilled on behalf of the deceased, and scholars extend this to Fidyah as well.

Intention

When paying Fidyah, make the intention clearly in your heart that this is compensation for the specific missed fasts — whether your own or on behalf of someone else.

For rulings specific to your health situation or madhab, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar or your local Imam.