What is Fidyah?
In Ramadan, if a person is unable to fast because he is elderly or sick with no hope of recovery, then he is not obliged to fast. Instead, he should feed one poor person for each day (Fidyah).
How is Fidyah carried out?
With regard to the manner of feeding, one has the choice between giving each poor person half a saa’ of food such as rice and the like (i.e., approximately one and a half kilograms) or making food and inviting the poor to eat.
📖 “The old man and old woman who cannot fast must feed a poor person for each day.” (Al-Bukhaari)
Fasting is one of the main pillars of Islam and is Fardh ( compulsory )
Allah orders…
📖 “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” 2/184.
What happens if you are sick?
Allah says…
📖 “Observe Sawm (fasts) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.”
What if you can fast, but there is a difficulty?
Allah says…
The sick can be divided into two Quick Parts:
- Those for where there is the chance of recovery, such as; those with temporary sickness from which there is the chance of recovery. In this case the ruling is as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.” [al-Baqarah 2:184]. All they have to do is wait until they are better, then fast. If it so happens that the sickness continues and the person dies before recovering, then there is no sin on him, because Allah has only enjoined him to make it up from other days, but he died before those other days came. This is like a person who dies in Sha’ban before Ramadhan begins – so it should not be made up on his behalf.
- Cases where the individual has a long term sickness, such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes or similar chronic disease where the prospect of recovery is neglible. These people are Islamically exempt from fasting in Ramadaan, but there is a condition in which they have to feed one poor person for each day. A prime example is for our elder generation who are unable to fast, they therefore fall into this category and should feed one poor person for each day. The evidence for that in the Qur’an in which Allah says; “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)” [al-Baqarah 2:184].
What about an elderly woman or man who was unable to fast what should she do?
“She should feed one poor person for each day, giving half a saa’ of the local staple food, such as dates or rice equivalent to approximately one and a half kilograms.” This was stated by a number of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him).
Is cash payable to the poor acceptable as Fidyah?
No, paying cash does not count as the fidyah for not fasting. Actual food must be given because Allah says: “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)”
World Appeal hands out actual food. We feed the poor and needy on your behalf. The cost for fidyah is £3 per day, Remember to calculate £3 per day by the number of fasts you need to make up for.
What is Fidyah?
In Ramadan, if a person is unable to fast because he is elderly or sick with no hope of recovery, then he is not obliged to fast. Instead, he should feed one poor person for each day (Fidyah).
How is Fidyah carried out?
With regard to the manner of feeding, one has the choice between giving each poor person half a saa’ of food such as rice and the like (i.e., approximately one and a half kilograms) or making food and inviting the poor to eat.
📖 “The old man and old woman who cannot fast must feed a poor person for each day.” (Al-Bukhaari)
Fasting is one of the main pillars of Islam and is Fardh ( compulsory )
Allah orders…
📖 “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” 2/184.
What happens if you are sick?
Allah says…
📖 “Observe Sawm (fasts) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.”
What if you can fast, but there is a difficulty?
Allah says…
The sick can be divided into two Quick Parts:
- Those for where there is the chance of recovery, such as; those with temporary sickness from which there is the chance of recovery. In this case the ruling is as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.” [al-Baqarah 2:184]. All they have to do is wait until they are better, then fast. If it so happens that the sickness continues and the person dies before recovering, then there is no sin on him, because Allah has only enjoined him to make it up from other days, but he died before those other days came. This is like a person who dies in Sha’ban before Ramadhan begins – so it should not be made up on his behalf.
- Cases where the individual has a long term sickness, such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes or similar chronic disease where the prospect of recovery is neglible. These people are Islamically exempt from fasting in Ramadaan, but there is a condition in which they have to feed one poor person for each day. A prime example is for our elder generation who are unable to fast, they therefore fall into this category and should feed one poor person for each day. The evidence for that in the Qur’an in which Allah says; “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)” [al-Baqarah 2:184].
What about an elderly woman or man who was unable to fast what should she do?
“She should feed one poor person for each day, giving half a saa’ of the local staple food, such as dates or rice equivalent to approximately one and a half kilograms.” This was stated by a number of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), such as Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him).
Is cash payable to the poor acceptable as Fidyah?
No, paying cash does not count as the fidyah for not fasting. Actual food must be given because Allah says: “And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for every day)”
World Appeal hands out actual food. We feed the poor and needy on your behalf. The cost for fidyah is £3 per day, Remember to calculate £3 per day by the number of fasts you need to make up for.
