FIDYAH

Fidyah (also spelled Fidya) is a charitable compensation paid when someone is unable to fast in Ramadan and is not expected to be able to make up the missed fasts later (for example due to old age or a long-term illness). Instead of fasting, they feed someone in need for each day missed. This reflects the Qur’anic principle of “feeding a needy person” for each day not fasted when fasting is extremely difficult.

Fidyah is given to the poor and needy. Many scholars treat Fidyah similarly to Zakat in terms of eligibility - meaning it should go specifically to people who genuinely qualify as poor/needy, not just anyone. Donating through a trusted charity can help ensure the food reaches eligible recipients in a dignified, organised way.

At Muslim Charity, Fidyah in the UK is £5 per missed fast (and £150 if you missed the entire 30 days). Calculate your total by multiplying £5 × number of days you are permanently unable to fast. Important: if you missed fasts for a temporary reason (such as short-term illness or travel) and you can make them up later, the default is to do qadā (make-up fasts) rather than pay fidyah.

“Zakat fidyah” is a common search term, but it mixes two different obligations. Zakat is an obligatory charity on wealth (commonly calculated as 2.5% of eligible assets). Fidyah is a separate obligatory payment linked to missed Ramadan fasts when someone cannot fast and cannot make up the fasts later. They may go to similar beneficiaries (the poor and needy), which is why people confuse the terms, but Fidyah does not replace Zakat.

Muslim Charity’s Fidyah rate in the UK is £5 per missed fast (or £150 for 30 days).

Fidyah is calculated based on the cost of feeding a person in need for each day of fasting you are unable to complete permanently.

Fidyah applies when you miss a fast for a valid reason and you cannot make it up later; it is the equivalent of feeding one person in need for each missed day. Kaffarah applies when a Ramadan fast is deliberately broken without a valid excuse; it is much larger - fasting 60 consecutive days, or (if unable) feeding 60 poor people for each fast.

First, confirm you’re eligible for Fidyah (i.e. you cannot fast and cannot make up the fasts later). Then count the number of missed Ramadan fasts and calculate £5 × days missed. On Muslim Charity’s fidyah page you can donate £5 per day or select £150 for the full month.