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How Much Is Fidya in the UK?
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How Much Is Fidya in the UK?

Find out how much Fidya costs in the UK, how it is calculated, and how to pay it correctly during Ramadan.

Introduction

One of the most common questions Muslims ask during Ramadan is how much Fidya they need to pay. In the UK, Fidya is commonly set at £5 per day for each fast a person is unable to fast due to valid reasons. This amount reflects the cost of feeding one needy person two meals for every day of fasting missed during the month.

 

Fidya applies only where someone is exempt from fasting and cannot make up those missed fasts later. It is not a general donation, but a defined fidya obligation linked directly to missed fasts in Ramadan.

Islam connects Fidya to nourishment rather than symbolism. The aim is the real act of feeding the poor, ensuring that fasting during the month remains tied to compassion, justice, and care for others.

Why is Fidya £5 Per Day in the UK?

Fidya is based on feeding one person for every day a fast is missed. Classical scholars described this as providing sufficient staple food for two meals. Today, this is converted into a monetary value so food can be purchased and distributed efficiently.

 

In the UK, £5 is widely accepted as the minimum amount required to fulfil this duty. It reflects basic meal costs while maintaining the recipient’s dignity. This applies whether the person is elderly, has chronic illnesses, or faces long-term health conditions that prevent them from fasting in Ramadan.

 

Some charities recommend slightly higher amounts due to inflation or local food costs. Giving more than the minimum is encouraged, but Muslims should avoid giving less, as Fidya must fully cover the cost of feeding a needy person.

How to Calculate Fidya Correctly

Fidya must be paid for an equal number of days that fasting was missed. This is based on guidance from the Qur’an in Al-Baqarah 2:184, where Allah SWT permits those exempt from fasting to compensate by feeding the poor.

For example:

  • If you missed 5 fasts, you pay £25
  • If you missed 10 fasts, you pay £50
  • If you missed the entire month, you pay approximately £150

This applies whether missed fasts were due to chronic illnesses, advanced age, or long-term medical advice stating it is unsafe to fast in Ramadan.

Temporary vs Permanent Exemptions

Islam distinguishes clearly between temporary and permanent exemptions. Someone experiencing a short-term illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or who is ill or on a journey is expected to fast later when able.

Fidya only applies where fasting will never become possible again. This protects the seriousness of fasting as one of the pillars of Islam, while ensuring mercy for those permanently unable to fast.

Fidya, Kaffarah, and Cost Differences

It is essential to understand the difference between fidya and kaffarah. Fidya applies when someone cannot fast for valid reasons. Kaffarah applies when someone fasts without a valid excuse or deliberately breaks their fast.

 

If a person intentionally breaks a fast, they must pay Kaffarah, which involves fasting for sixty consecutive days or feeding sixty poor people. This makes Kaffarah significantly more costly than Fidya, highlighting the seriousness of deliberately neglecting fasting during the month.

Choosing fidya or kaffarah is not optional. The obligation depends entirely on why the fast was missed.

Giving Fidya Through an Islamic Charity

Many Muslims in the UK choose to donate Fidya through an Islamic charity such as Islamic Help. This ensures Fidya is distributed correctly, transparently, and with dignity.

 

Through an organised fidya charity, donations are converted into meals and delivered to families facing food insecurity. In many regions, £5 can provide more than two meals, increasing the impact while still fulfilling the obligation.

Whether distributed locally or internationally, the requirement remains the same: feeding a needy person for every day of fasting missed.

Conclusion

For UK Muslims, Fidya provides a clear and compassionate way to fulfil religious duties when fasting is no longer possible. At £5 per missed fast, Fidya allows those unable to fast due to lasting reasons to remain connected to Ramadan, honour Allah SWT, and support those in need through meaningful charity.

FAQs:

  • How much is Fidya per day in the UK?
    In the UK, Fidya is commonly set at £5 per day of fasting missed. This amount represents the cost of feeding one needy person two meals and is widely accepted by scholars and Islamic charities as the minimum required.
  • Is the Fidya amount the same for everyone?
    Yes, in the UK, the standard Fidya amount is £5 per missed fast, regardless of income. The obligation is tied to feeding one person, not personal wealth, although giving more than the minimum is always encouraged.
  • Can I give more than £5 for Fidya?
    Yes, giving more than £5 per day is allowed and rewarded. Any extra amount is considered voluntary charity and helps provide additional food or support to people in need beyond the basic obligation.
  • Does Fidya have to be paid in money?
    No, Fidya can be paid in food instead of money. Providing two meals or equivalent staple food to a needy person for each missed fast fulfils the obligation. Many people choose money for ease of distribution.
  • Is Fidya cheaper than Kaffarah?
    Yes, Fidya is significantly lower in cost than Kaffarah. Fidya feeds one person per missed fast, while Kaffarah requires feeding sixty people or fasting for two consecutive months for a single broken fast.
  • How does Islamic Help calculate Fidya donations?
    Islamic Help calculates Fidya based on the UK rate of £5 per missed fast. Donors can select the number of days missed, ensuring accurate totals and proper distribution to families facing food insecurity.
  • Where does Islamic Help distribute Fidya meals?
    Islamic Help distributes Fidya meals in areas experiencing poverty and hunger, both locally and internationally. Partnering with trusted local organisations ensures food reaches those most in need efficiently.
  • Can Fidya be paid in instalments?
    Yes, Fidya can be paid in instalments if needed. While it is best to complete payment as soon as possible, Islam allows flexibility as long as the full amount for missed fasts is eventually paid.

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