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Compensation for Missed Fasts: Amount, Eligibility & Payment Guide
Fidya (also spelled Fidyah) is the religious compensation paid by Muslims who cannot fast during Ramadan and have no prospect of making up those fasts in the future. If chronic illness, old age, or a permanent condition prevents you from fasting, this guide explains exactly what you need to pay for Ramadan 2026.
£5-£7 per day of fasting missed. This feeds one poor person two meals for each day you cannot fast.
30 days × £5 = £150 minimum. 30 days × £7 = £210 recommended. Pay at start, daily, or end of Ramadan.
Those permanently unable to fast: elderly, chronically ill, terminally ill, or those with conditions preventing future fasting.
Fidya is a form of religious compensation in Islam that applies when a Muslim is unable to fast during Ramadan due to a valid, permanent excuse and cannot make up the fasts at any point in the future. Instead of fasting, they must feed a poor person for each day of fasting missed.
The concept of Fidya comes directly from the Quran. Allah says: "And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184)
This verse establishes that Allah, in His infinite mercy, provides an alternative for those who genuinely cannot fulfil the obligation of fasting. Rather than the fast being simply waived, Fidya ensures the person maintains a spiritual connection to Ramadan while providing tangible benefit to those in need.
Fidya is specifically for those who meet TWO conditions:
This applies to:
Elderly Muslims who are too weak or frail to fast safely, and for whom fasting poses genuine health risks, should pay Fidya instead. This recognises the reality that their condition will not improve with time—they cannot "wait until they're stronger" to make up the fasts.
Those with long-term, permanent health conditions that prevent safe fasting—such as diabetes requiring regular medication and food intake, kidney disease requiring regular fluid intake, or other conditions where fasting would cause medical harm.
Patients with terminal illnesses who have no reasonable expectation of recovery, and therefore no prospect of making up missed fasts.
Any condition that doctors confirm will permanently prevent safe fasting, with no prospect of improvement.
Important: If you CAN potentially make up your fasts later, you should NOT pay Fidya. Instead, you should make up the missed days when you are able.
Examples of when to make up fasts (NOT pay Fidya):
Fidya is ONLY for those with no possibility of ever making up the fasts.
The Fidya amount is based on providing two meals (or one full day's food) to a poor person for each day of fasting missed.
Per Day: £5 (minimum) to £7 (recommended)
| Days Missed | At £5/day | At £7/day |
|---|---|---|
| 10 days | £50 | £70 |
| 15 days | £75 | £105 |
| 20 days | £100 | £140 |
| 25 days | £125 | £175 |
| 29 days | £145 | £203 |
| 30 days (full Ramadan) | £150 | £210 |
Fidya and Kaffarah are both compensations related to fasting, but they serve very different purposes:
| Aspect | Fidya | Kaffarah |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Cannot fast due to permanent excuse | Deliberately broke fast without valid reason |
| Amount | Feed 1 person per day missed | Fast 60 consecutive days OR feed 60 people |
| Nature | Compensation for inability | Expiation for deliberate sin |
| Severity | Lower payment | Much more significant |
Kaffarah applies when someone deliberately breaks their fast during Ramadan without a valid Islamic excuse—for example, intentionally eating or drinking while knowing it invalidates the fast. This requires either fasting 60 consecutive days or feeding 60 poor people (approximately £300).
Fidya applies only to those who cannot fast at all due to permanent medical conditions. It is a mercy from Allah, not a penalty.
Fidya can be paid at various times:
While there is flexibility in timing, scholars generally recommend not delaying unnecessarily. Paying at the start of Ramadan means the poor benefit from your Fidya throughout the blessed month.
The ruling for pregnant and breastfeeding women varies among scholars:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a knowledgeable scholar for guidance specific to your situation.
When you pay Fidya through ChildRelief, your payment provides meals to families in desperate need across Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Rohingya communities. For many of these families, the meals funded by your Fidya may be the only food they receive.
Consider: while you cannot fast due to circumstances beyond your control, your Fidya feeds a family who cannot eat due to poverty beyond their control. This beautiful exchange ensures your Ramadan remains spiritually meaningful even when fasting isn't possible.
Keep a record of your Fidya payments for your own reference. This helps ensure you've fulfilled your obligation and provides documentation if needed. When you pay through ChildRelief, you'll receive confirmation of your payment.
Fidya for 2026 is £5-£7 per day of fasting missed. For the full month of Ramadan (30 days), this totals £150-£210. The amount is based on feeding one poor person two meals for each day missed.
Fidya is for those who permanently cannot fast: the elderly who are too frail, those with chronic illnesses (like diabetes or kidney disease), terminally ill patients, and anyone with a permanent medical condition preventing fasting. If you can potentially make up fasts later, you should NOT pay Fidya.
Fidya is compensation for those unable to fast (feed 1 person per day). Kaffarah is expiation for deliberately breaking a fast without valid reason (fast 60 consecutive days OR feed 60 people). Fidya is a mercy; Kaffarah is a penalty for sin.
No. If your illness is temporary and you can potentially make up the fasts after recovery, you should NOT pay Fidya. Instead, make up the missed fasts when you're able. Fidya is only for permanent inability to fast.
Fidya can be paid at the start of Ramadan (for the full month), daily as each fast is missed, at the end of Ramadan, or after Ramadan if delayed. Paying earlier is generally recommended so the poor benefit during the blessed month.
Scholars differ on this. Most say pregnant/breastfeeding women should make up fasts later rather than pay Fidya. Some scholars allow Fidya in addition to or instead of making up fasts. Consult a knowledgeable scholar for your specific situation.
Your Fidya provides meals for families who have nothing to eat. Even if you cannot fast, your Ramadan can still transform lives. 100% of your donation goes to programmatic costs to supercharge helping those in need. We're ALL in. 100%.
