Fidya is one of the solutions to make up for missed fasting days in Ramadan. However, Muslims can do it only if they meet certain conditions.
To avoid making mistakes, this article will explain everything there is to know about fidya so you can perform this religious act correctly.
What is Fidya in Islam?
Fidya is a form of compensation in Islam that Muslims have to pay if they miss a day of fasting during Ramadan.
Paying fidya means you have to give money or food to those in need based on the number of fasting days you have missed. The more days you miss, the bigger the compensation you have to give.
It is mentioned in a verse in the Quran that says:
For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, will find it better for him; and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know. (Qur’an 2:184)
In a way, it acts as some kind of fine because observing fast during Ramadan is compulsory for mukallaf Muslims (someone who has reached puberty and has full responsibility under Islamic law).
However, fidya also signifies Islam’s call for mercy and flexibility in religious practices.
When Should You Pay Fidya?
Muslims can pay fidya before Ramadan if they know they won’t be able to fast for the entire month. In this situation, they need to pay fidya for 30 missed fasts.
They can also pay fidya during Ramadan if they find out that they can’t keep fasting due to their conditions. If that is the case, they ought to do it as soon as possible, preferably after the sun rises every day.
However, if you find out that you are unable to fast in the middle of Ramadan, it is better for you to pay fidya during the month or paying right after Fajr (dawn) every day is also allowed. This addition provides flexibility in fulfilling the obligation if one is unable to fast. For this, you only have to pay fidya for the number of days you will miss.
What if a Muslim wants to make up for missed fasts after Ramadan but it turns out they can’t do it? Don’t worry, it is also permissible for them to pay fidya after the fasting month.
Who Must Pay Fidya
Fidya is only applicable to Muslims who miss fasting days in Ramadan but can’t make up for them later on due to certain conditions, including:
Specifically pregnant and nursing women, they have the option to pay fidya if they fear that fasting might affect their children. That being said, it is still permissible for them to fast or make up for the skipped fasts later if they are okay with it.
But if you don’t have one of those conditions, you can’t choose fidya. You must make up for the missed fasting days in Ramadan by actually fasting for the same amount of time afterward.
People Who Can Receive Fidya
The poor (Al Fuqara’) is a person who can hardly sustain his or her life on their own and has little to no possessions at all.
The needy (Al Masakeen) is a person who can fulfill half of their needs but struggle to make ends meet.
If you have a family relative who lives under one of those conditions, then he or she should be the one to receive your fidya.
If not, you can feed your poor neighbors or donate to other people, such as a homeless person.
How Much Fidya Should I Pay?
For one day of missed fast, you have to give a poor person half a sa’ of food, which is equal to around 1.65 kilograms.
So if you skip more, you simply need to multiply half a sa’ with the number of skipped fasts.
For example, let’s say a Muslim doesn’t fast for 30 days because he is very old. The total of food he needs to give is:
1.65 kg x 30 = 49.5 kilograms
If you don’t want to give food, you can also pay fidya by giving the cash equivalent. However, different areas might have different calculations, depending on the price of the local food.
Methods of Paying Fidya
Before you learn about how to pay fidya, you need to understand that one missed fast equals one portion of fidya for one poor person.
If you skip more than one day, you can donate the other portion to another poor person or the same one. It’s up to you.
As for the method, Islam allows you to give a predetermined amount of food or the cash equivalent directly to the poor. This encourages you to care for those people around you who need help.
Alternatively, you have the option to pay fidya through an authorized organization that will distribute the money to the deserving recipients.
Take MyFundAction for example. We have a lot of campaigns that enable you to pay fidya online by supporting us to feed poor people or those in need.
Importance of Fidya
Fidya holds a significant place in Islam because it embodies Islam’s values of kindness, mercy, and flexibility.
It also signifies that Allah SWT takes into account genuine personal hardships when practicing the religion, which highlights the balanced and considerate nature of Islam.
As such, no one is left behind in their journey of faith due to natural human conditions.
Furthermore, fidya also helps us foster a sense of community and empathy by giving us a chance to support the less fortunate.
In that sense, paying fidya is not just about fulfilling one’s religious duty but also about demonstrating Islam’s principle of charity and solidarity.
Conclusion
Fidya is a relief that Islam provides for Muslims who can’t fast during Ramadan due to health conditions. It allows them to pay a certain amount of food, or the cash equivalent, in order to compensate for the missed fasting days.
To pay fidya, you must feed one poor person for a day for every day you skip a fast. The amount of food you need to give is around 1,65 kg or you can provide them with money that is equivalent to that. The more fasts you miss, the bigger the compensation is.
While fidya looks like a fine imposed on us who can’t fast, it’s actually an embodiment of the mercy and flexibility of Islam.
By paying it, everyone has the same opportunity in their faith journey without sacrificing their health conditions. Fidya also teaches the importance of empathy and solidarity by enabling us to help those in need with our wealth.
If you want to pay fidya, you can check the MyFundAction Fidya campaign that allows you to feed poor people for as many days as you want.
