Fidya & Kaffarah Calculator

Calculate compensation for missed or broken fasts

Fidya - Compensation for Missed Fasts

For those who cannot fast due to old age, chronic illness, or pregnancy/nursing

Number of Missed Days

Currency

What is Fidya?

Fidya is the religious compensation paid when a person misses fasts during Ramadan due to valid reasons such as old age, chronic illness, or pregnancy. The compensation is to feed one poor person two meals for each day missed.

Who Must Pay Fidya?

✓ Elderly people who cannot fast
✓ Chronically ill patients with no hope of recovery
✓ Pregnant or nursing women (if fasting poses health risks)

What is Kaffarah?

Kaffarah is a penalty for deliberately breaking a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason. The person must either fast continuously for 60 days OR feed 60 poor people (two meals each) for each instance.

When is Kaffarah Required?

⚠️ Deliberately breaking fast without valid reason
⚠️ Sexual relations during fasting hours
⚠️ Not making up missed fasts from previous Ramadans

How is it Calculated?

The amount is based on the cost of two meals (breakfast and dinner) per person in your local area. Our calculator uses conservative estimates based on average meal costs in GCC and MENA countries.

ℹ️

Meal Costs Updated: October 15, 2025

Source: CPI-Adjusted Prices • Version: 1.0

Note: Meal costs are estimates. Please consult with local scholars for precise amounts in your region.

Trusted Organizations

You can pay your Fidya or Kaffarah through these reputable Islamic charitable organizations:

🌍 Islamic Relief Worldwide 🤝 Muslim Aid 💚 Penny Appeal ❤️ Human Appeal

Frequently Asked Questions About Fidya and Kaffarah

❓ What is the difference between Fidya and Kaffarah?

Fidya and Kaffarah are different compensations for missed fasts. Fidya is paid when someone CANNOT fast due to valid reasons beyond their control: old age, chronic illness, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. It involves feeding one poor person two meals for each missed day. Kaffarah is a PENALTY for DELIBERATELY breaking a fast during Ramadan without valid reason. It requires either fasting continuously for 60 days OR feeding 60 poor people (two meals each) for each instance. Fidya is about inability; Kaffarah is about accountability for intentional violation.

👴 Who should pay Fidya?

Fidya should be paid by: (1) Elderly people who are physically unable to fast and have no hope of regaining the ability; (2) Chronically ill patients with permanent conditions that make fasting dangerous or impossible; (3) Pregnant women if fasting poses serious health risks to themselves or the baby; (4) Breastfeeding mothers if fasting would endanger the child and no alternative feeding is available. Fidya is NOT for those who are temporarily unable to fast (like travelers or temporarily ill people) - they should make up missed fasts later through Qada. If there's any possibility you'll be able to fast in the future, you should delay and make up fasts rather than paying Fidya.

⚖️ When is Kaffarah required?

Kaffarah is required when a person deliberately breaks a fast during Ramadan without valid excuse. The main situations requiring Kaffarah are: (1) Intentionally eating or drinking during fasting hours without valid reason; (2) Engaging in sexual intercourse during fasting hours; (3) Not making up missed fasts from previous Ramadans when one was able to do so (some scholars). Breaking a fast by mistake, forgetfulness, or due to genuine medical emergency does NOT require Kaffarah - only making up that day (Qada). Kaffarah is a serious matter reflecting the grave nature of deliberately violating the Ramadan fast.

🇦🇪 How much is Fidya per day in UAE for 2025?

The Fidya amount per day in UAE is based on the cost of feeding two meals to one poor person. In 2025, this is approximately 13-15 AED per day (about 6.5-7.5 AED per meal) based on average meal costs in the Emirates. This amount is automatically calculated by our tool using current food prices adjusted for inflation. For a full month of Ramadan (30 days), Fidya would be around 390-450 AED. However, you should verify with local Islamic authorities or mosques in your emirate for the most accurate current rate, as living costs vary between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates.

🇸🇦 How much is Fidya per day in Saudi Arabia for 2025?

In Saudi Arabia for 2025, Fidya is approximately 11-13 SAR per day, which covers two meals for one poor person (about 5.5-6.5 SAR per meal). Our calculator automatically adjusts this based on current Saudi food prices and regional cost of living. For 30 days of Ramadan, the total Fidya would be around 330-390 SAR. The amount can vary slightly by region - Riyadh, Jeddah, and Makkah may have different costs. Consult with your local mosque or the Ministry of Islamic Affairs for region-specific guidance.

⏰ Can I pay Fidya in advance for Ramadan?

Scholars differ on paying Fidya in advance. The majority opinion, including Hanafi and Shafi'i schools, permits paying Fidya before Ramadan begins if you have certainty that you will be unable to fast (e.g., due to chronic illness or advanced age). This allows you to fulfill the obligation early. However, the Maliki school prefers paying after Ramadan ends. For pregnant or breastfeeding women whose inability to fast is uncertain, it's better to wait until after Ramadan to pay Fidya for actual missed days. If you pay in advance and unexpectedly recover the ability to fast, you should fast and can reclaim or redirect the Fidya payment as general charity (Sadaqah).

🍽️ What are the Kaffarah options and which should I choose?

For Kaffarah, you have TWO options according to Islamic law: (1) Fast continuously for 60 days without break - if you break the sequence even by one day, you must restart the full 60 days; OR (2) Feed 60 poor people, providing two meals each (total 120 meals). The fasting option is the PRIMARY and preferred method if you are physically able. The feeding option is allowed if: you cannot fast for 60 consecutive days due to health, age, or other valid reasons. You CANNOT choose feeding simply for convenience if you are able to fast. The sequential 60-day fast is demanding precisely because Kaffarah is a serious penalty meant to emphasize the gravity of deliberately breaking the Ramadan fast.

🤰 Can pregnant women pay Fidya for missed Ramadan fasts?

Pregnant women have options depending on circumstances: (1) If fasting poses NO significant health risk, they should fast like others; (2) If fasting is difficult but not dangerous, they may postpone fasts and make them up later (Qada) after delivery and breastfeeding; (3) If fasting poses serious health risk to the mother or baby, they should NOT fast and must pay Fidya according to the Hanafi school, or make up fasts later according to Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools. Most contemporary scholars recommend: if there's any reasonable possibility the woman can make up fasts after pregnancy/breastfeeding, she should do Qada rather than Fidya. Fidya is only for permanent inability. Pregnant women should consult both their doctor and an Islamic scholar for personalized guidance.

📍 Where should I pay my Fidya or Kaffarah?

Fidya and Kaffarah should be given to poor and needy Muslims who qualify as Zakat recipients. You can pay through: (1) Reputable Islamic charitable organizations like Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, Human Appeal, or local mosque Ramadan programs; (2) Directly to poor individuals you know personally who need assistance; (3) In your local community or in poorer regions where the money will have greater impact. Many people send Fidya/Kaffarah to organizations working in countries with humanitarian crises (Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Somalia) where the money feeds more people. However, some scholars prefer local distribution. The key is ensuring the payment actually reaches eligible recipients and provides real meals or food value.

📅 What if I missed multiple Ramadans and didn't make up the fasts?

If you missed fasts in previous Ramadans and were ABLE to make them up but didn't, you are in a serious situation requiring: (1) Sincere repentance (Tawbah) for delaying an obligation; (2) Making up ALL missed fasts as soon as possible (Qada); (3) According to some scholars, paying Kaffarah for each day if the delay was intentional and without excuse. If multiple Ramadans have passed, calculate the total number of missed days. Start making them up systematically - you can fast these days anytime outside Ramadan and don't need to complete them all at once. Some scholars say one Kaffarah covers multiple deliberately delayed days, while others require Kaffarah per day. Consult an Islamic scholar for your specific situation. The most important thing is sincere repentance and beginning to make up the fasts immediately.

💰 Is Fidya the same amount as Zakat al-Fitr?

No, Fidya and Zakat al-Fitr are different obligations with potentially different amounts, though they may sometimes be similar. Zakat al-Fitr is paid once per person before Eid prayer, usually based on the cost of basic staple food (wheat, rice, dates) - often 30-50 SAR/AED in the Gulf. Fidya is paid PER DAY of missed fasting, calculated as the cost of two meals for one person - typically 11-15 SAR/AED per day. Over 30 days of Ramadan, total Fidya (330-450 SAR/AED) is much higher than one Zakat al-Fitr payment. Both serve different purposes: Zakat al-Fitr purifies the fast and helps the poor celebrate Eid; Fidya compensates for inability to fast due to permanent conditions.

🍲 Can I cook and distribute meals myself instead of paying money for Fidya?

Yes, it is permissible and even praiseworthy to fulfill Fidya by personally cooking and distributing meals to the poor rather than just paying money. This was the common practice in early Islamic times. To fulfill Fidya through direct food distribution: (1) Prepare nutritious meals equivalent to what you normally eat - it should be wholesome food, not mere subsistence; (2) Give two meals for each missed fast day to individual poor people; (3) Each poor person should receive two meals per day you're compensating for. The advantage is ensuring the food actually reaches recipients and building personal connection with those in need. However, it requires time and effort. If you choose this method, ensure meals are given to different poor individuals or families, not the same person repeatedly, and that the food value equals or exceeds the monetary Fidya amount.