Fidya and Kaffara are two solutions built into the religion of Islam that can help a Muslim compensate for not fasting or breaking other obligations – paying Fidya or Kaffara also benefits people in need. The following is meant to provide a basic understanding of Fidya and Kaffara, and were derived through the consultation of imams who follow the Fiqh Council of North America. We advise you to consult with your local imam or scholar for more detailed or localized inquiries.
“Fidya” is a donation type within the Islamic tradition paid by individuals who cannot fulfill the obligation of fasting due to illness or old age. Fidya payments are meant to feed a person in need for each of the fasting days missed.
The estimated cost, on guidance from notable scholars and shyookh, is $15 for each day missed or $450 for all of Ramadan. In addition, if the donor is from a low-income family, he or she should then care for the family’s needs first before considering giving a separate Fidya donation.
“Kaffara,” within the Islamic tradition, provides individuals who deliberately miss or break a day of fasting an opportunity to recompense for it. According to Islamic guidelines, if a person misses a day of fasting without a valid reason, he or she should either fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 under privileged people per day. The estimated cost is $15 per person for 60 people, which equals $900 a day for each missed or broken day.
Beyond Ramadan, Kaffara may also be given to recompense for broken oaths or promises. In these cases, 10 underprivileged people should be fed for each occurrence. The estimated cost is $15 per person for 10 people, which equals $150 per broken promise. If the donor is from a low-income family, and cannot afford the payment, it is recommended that he or she should fast for three days, and make sure to “protect your oath,” meaning he or she should stay true to his or her word going forward.