Fidyah: Understanding Ramadan Compensation for Those Unable to Fast
For Muslims unable to fast during Ramadan due to ongoing health conditions or other permanent impediments, Islamic teachings provide a path for compensation known as Fidyah. The question of when and how to fulfill this obligation has been addressed by religious authorities, offering guidance for those seeking to observe the spirit of Ramadan despite physical limitations.
Recently, Dar al-Ifta (the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta) has clarified the timing and amount of Fidyah for the year 2026. According to their ruling, the minimum amount for Fidyah per missed day of fasting is 30 Egyptian pounds. This ruling aligns with the consensus among Islamic scholars who permit those with continuous, unrecoverable impediments to fasting to provide Fidyah instead.
Islamic scholars agree that Fidyah can be paid throughout Ramadan, offering flexibility for those fulfilling the obligation. The payment can be made each day after dawn, or even the night before, mirroring the permissibility of intending to fast from the previous night for those who are able. Alternatively, the entire amount for the month can be paid at once, towards the end of Ramadan. As Ibn Najim al-Hanafi, a prominent Hanafi scholar, noted in “Al-Bahr al-Raiq,” a person can give the Fidyah in one lump sum at the end of the month.
Imam al-Nawawi al-Shafi’i, a respected scholar within the Shafi’i school of thought, further elaborated in “Al-Majmu'” that Fidyah can be paid after sunrise on the day We see due, or even before sunrise, according to the prevailing opinion. This provides further reassurance to those managing their obligations during the holy month.
The Imam al-Ramli al-Shafi’i, in his “Fatawa,” highlighted the flexibility in how Fidyah is distributed, stating that it can be given to a single needy person as a single payment. This simplifies the process for those wishing to fulfill their obligation efficiently.
Imam al-Mardawi al-Hanbali, in “Al-Insaaf,” confirmed that providing food to a single needy individual as a collective payment for the entire period of missed fasts is permissible without dispute. This underscores the ease and accessibility of fulfilling the Fidyah requirement.
The concept of Fidyah stems from a verse in the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:184) which outlines provisions for those who are unable to fast due to illness or other valid reasons. It offers a compassionate alternative, ensuring that those unable to physically fast can still participate in the spirit of Ramadan through charitable giving.
The United Arab Emirates has also recently set the Zakat and fasting compensation amounts for Ramadan 2026, demonstrating the importance placed on these religious obligations within the region. While specific amounts for Zakat al-Fitr were also announced, this article focuses specifically on the Fidyah requirements for those unable to fast.
Islamic Relief provides information on Fidyah, explaining that it is applicable when someone cannot fast during Ramadan and is unable to make up the missed days afterward due to a long-term health condition. They offer options for donating to support those needing to pay Fidyah, facilitating the fulfillment of this religious duty.
Studio Arabiya clarifies that the standard practice for Fidyah is to feed one poor person for each day of fasting missed. For someone missing all thirty days of Ramadan, this would equate to providing sustenance for thirty individuals.
the Fidyah serves as a testament to the inclusivity and compassion inherent in Islamic teachings, providing a means for all Muslims, regardless of their physical capabilities, to participate in the blessings of Ramadan and demonstrate their devotion to Allah.
