What is Fidyah?

The Meaning of Fidyah

Fidyah is a form of compensation prescribed in the Quran for Muslims who are unable to fast during Ramadan due to a permanent or long-term condition, and who have no realistic expectation of being able to make up those fasts in the future.

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory. When a Muslim is unable to fast and cannot make up the missed days later, Fidyah provides an alternative way to fulfill the obligation — through feeding a poor person for each day missed.

Who Must Pay Fidyah?

• The elderly who are too frail to fast and cannot recover that ability
• Those suffering from a chronic or permanent illness that makes fasting impossible
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women in cases where scholars permit Fidyah instead of making up the fasts — this is a matter of scholarly difference, consult your madhab
• Terminally ill patients who will never be able to fast again

If a person misses fasts due to a temporary illness, travel, or other recoverable reason, they must make up (Qada) those fasts later. Fidyah does not apply in those cases.

Who Does Not Pay Fidyah?

• Anyone who can make up missed fasts later — they must do Qada, not Fidyah
• Children who have not yet reached puberty — fasting is not obligatory on them
• Non-Muslims