What is Fidyah?
In Ramadhan 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 to perform the Fidyah
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.
Al-Bukhaari said: “As for an old man who is unable to fast, after Anas grew old, for one or two years he fed a poor person with bread and meat and he did not fast.” Read More…
Your Donations in Action
Save a life, provide food, bring happiness to a family this Ramadhan. Let us show our gratitude to Allah for the many different blessing He has given us by helping the less fortunate.
Our team have been distributing food parcels to families in desperate need, helping them cope with the impact of conflict, and to help them to recover and resume their childhoods.
Check out how you’re making a difference to families facing starvation.
Fasting is an Obligation
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 if you are sick?
What If you can fast but with difficulty?
The sick may be divided into two Quick Links:
1– Those for whom there is the hope of recovery, such as those with temporary sickness from which there is the hope 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’baan before Ramadaan begins – so it should not be made up on his behalf.
2– Cases where sickness is ongoing, such as cancer – Allah forbid – kidney disease, diabetes and similar chronic diseases where there is no hope of recovery. These people are allowed not to fast in Ramadaan, but they have to feed one poor person for each day, like old men and women who are unable to fast, so they may not fast and should feed one poor person for each day. The evidence for that in the Qur’aan is the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “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 who was unable to fast – what should she do?
Can one give cash to the poor 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)”
Crisis Aid gives out actual food. We can feed the poor and needy on your behalf and the cost for fidyah is £3 per day. Please calculate £3 per day by the number of fasts you need to make up for.
Tell your friends and family about this great cause
The Prophet ﷺ said,"Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward equal to it." Source Sahih Muslim 1893
