How Much is Fidya for not Fasting
If a person is unable to fast during Ramadan due to a chronic illness or permanent medical condition, they are exempt from fasting, and they do not need to pay fidya. Instead, they can perform an expiatory act known as “fidyat al-siyam,” which involves feeding one poor person for each missed day of fasting.Â
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You will have to make a charitable repayment if you choose not to fast during any of the Ramadan days. For fasts missed out of hardship that cannot be made up later, you must pay fidya (fidyah). So, how much is Fidya for not fasting?Â
What is Fidya?
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Fidya is an Islamic term referring to the compensation that a person who is unable to fast during the month of Ramadan can pay. According to Islamic law, you are required to utilize your fidya to give people in need two meals for each missed fast.Â
Who is Eligible?
People who are qualified to pay Fidya are:
- Women who are pregnant but unable to fast
- Chronically unwell individuals, including those with mental diseases
- People who become ill temporarily during the month of Ramadan
- Individuals who must continue taking their medication
- Seniors who are unable to fast due to age
How to Calculate Fidya?
There is a fixed fidya amount for a person to pay if they don’t fast during Ramadan. It is based on how much one Sa’a of wheat or its equivalent costs in the area where they live.
The current market value of one Sa’a of wheat varies from country to country. Therefore, the exact amount of fidya for not fasting during Ramadan will depend on the country in which the person lives.
To elaborate further, the amount of fidya for not fasting during Ramadan is determined by the value of one Sa’a of the staple food item in the local market. It is typically wheat, barley, dates, or raisins. The Sa’a is an ancient Arabic measure that is roughly equivalent to approximately 3 liters or 1.6 kg of the staple food item.
As it is too complicated, there is a simple way. The amount of fidya for not fasting during Ramadan is equal to feeding one poor person two meals a day for each day missed. Therefore, the amount of fidya for not fasting during the entire month of Ramadan would be equivalent to feeding 60 poor people two meals a day.
How much is Fidya for Ramadan?
The fidya amount is calculated by multiplying the value of one Sa’a of the staple food item by the number of missed days of fasting. The resulting amount is then given to the poor and needy as charity.
It changes every year during Ramadan as the market price rise. In 2023, each missed fast costs $17 fidya. This should be enough to feed two individuals or one person and two meals. This is the fidya calculation that ANIC has set for 2023.
Importance of Fidya
To make up for missed fasts of Ramadan is an order from Allah. Fidyah for missed fast has the potential to be a big blessing for both you and those who are in need. You can make a great impact by donating Fidya. Your contributions help vulnerable families living in poverty around the world by providing them with food.
There is another term called Kaffarah for breaking fast. This is not the same as Fidya. There is no such thing as Kaffara for breaking fast due to illness. If you break your fast due to illness, it’s called Fidya. Kaffarah is for those who break fast deliberately.
Fidya and Kaffarah are important terms in Islam. Fidya and kaffarah offer remedies that can make up for failing to fast, with or without a good reason. These also help out the less fortunate members of the community.
Fidya is an obligatory fine in Islam for missed fasts. So, how much is Fidya for not fasting? Fidya for Ramadan missed fasts is not a fixed amount. There is a measurement mentioned in the holy books of Islam. Every year scholars determined it based on this measurement. Mainly the amount should be enough to feed a person two meals for each missed fast.
In today’s world, many chose to donate the amount to various organizations. These non-profit Islamic organizations distribute the amount to needy persons around the world.
