Fidya and Kaffarah 2026: Amounts, Rules, and Who Needs to Pay

Not everyone can fast during Ramadan. Whether due to chronic illness, old age, pregnancy, or other valid reasons, Islam provides alternatives: Fidya and Kaffarah. Both involve feeding the poor, but they apply in different situations and carry different amounts. With Ramadan 2026 underway, here is everything you need to know about when each applies, how much to pay, and where to give.

What Is Fidya?

Fidya is a charitable compensation paid by someone who cannot fast and is not expected to be able to make up the missed days in the future. It is not a penalty -- it is a merciful alternative provided by Allah for those with a genuine, long-term inability to fast.

The Quran says: "And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] -- a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]" (Al-Baqarah, 2:184). Fidya is one meal (or its monetary equivalent) per missed fast, given to a person in need.

Who Must Pay Fidya?

• Elderly who are too frail to fast and cannot reasonably be expected to regain the ability
• Chronically ill with conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer where fasting poses a health risk and recovery is unlikely
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (according to some scholars, particularly the Hanafi school, if they fear for their own health)
• Those on long-term medication that must be taken with food during fasting hours

What Is Kaffarah?

Kaffarah is an expiation for deliberately breaking a fast without a valid reason. It is significantly more substantial than Fidya because it addresses a willful violation of the fast. The three options, in order, are:

1. Freeing a slave (no longer applicable in the modern world)
2. Fasting for 60 consecutive days -- if the person is physically able
3. Feeding 60 poor people -- if unable to fast for 60 days

Kaffarah applies per day that was intentionally invalidated. Simply missing a fast due to forgetfulness, sleep, or a temporary illness does not trigger Kaffarah -- only a deliberate breaking of the fast (such as eating intentionally without a valid excuse) does.

Fidya vs Kaffarah: Key Differences

Fidya Amounts for 2026 by Country

Fidya is based on the cost of one average meal in your locality. Most Islamic organizations publish annual Fidya rates. Here are approximate amounts for Ramadan 2026:

Amounts are approximate and vary by organization. Check with your local mosque or a recognized charity like Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, or ISNA for exact rates in your area.

How to Pay Fidya and Kaffarah

• Through a charity: Organizations like Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, Muslim Hands, and ICNA Relief accept Fidya and Kaffarah payments and distribute meals to those in need worldwide.
• Directly to individuals: You can provide meals directly to poor people in your community. Each meal should be equivalent to what you would feed your own family.
• Timing: Fidya can be paid at the beginning of Ramadan for all 30 days, or day by day. It is better to pay early so the recipients benefit during Ramadan itself.

Common Questions

Can I pay Fidya in advance for the whole month?

Yes. If you know you will be unable to fast for the entire month, you can pay Fidya for all 30 days at the start of Ramadan. Many scholars encourage this so the recipients can benefit during the blessed month.

What if my health improves -- do I still need to make up fasts?

If you paid Fidya because of a long-term condition and your health unexpectedly improves, most scholars say you should then make up the missed fasts when you are able. The Fidya you already paid counts as charity and is not wasted.

Is Kaffarah per day or per Ramadan?

The majority of scholars hold that Kaffarah is per day, meaning each deliberately broken fast requires its own Kaffarah (60 fasts or feeding 60 people). However, some Hanafi scholars allow one Kaffarah to cover multiple broken fasts within the same Ramadan. Consult your local scholar for guidance specific to your madhab.