Added to your Barakah Basket! Explore more ways to uplift lives
Donate

Your Barakah Basket

You have no items in your basket

Sadaqah starts with intention, here are some ways to begin:

Explore Causes
When to Give Fidya During Ramadan
Latest News

When to Give Fidya During Ramadan

Learn when Fidya should be given during Ramadan, who must pay it, and how it supports those in need while fulfilling religious obligations.

Introduction

Many Muslims ask when to pay Fidya, especially as Ramadan approaches. The answer depends on when a person becomes certain they are unable to fast due to valid and lasting reasons. Once that certainty exists, Fidya should be given as soon as possible.

 

Fidya applies during the holy month of Ramadan, a time centred on fasting, reflection, and charity. For those who are exempt from fasting, Fidya allows continued participation in Ramadan through giving. It ensures that feeding the poor remains central to worship during Ramadan, when food insecurity often increases.

Islam encourages believers to fulfil their religious duties promptly. While Fidya can be given at different times, giving it early helps ensure that food reaches the poor and needy when they need it most.

Why Timing Matters in Ramadan

Ramadan follows the Islamic calendar and moves through different lunar months, meaning fasting conditions change each year. Some years involve longer daylight hours, which can make fasting during Ramadan more difficult for people with underlying health conditions.

Islam recognises that fasting is obligatory only for those who are required to fast and able to do so safely. Where fasting would cause harm, Fidya becomes the alternative. Giving it at the right time ensures support reaches those in need during the most demanding days of fasting.

The Best Time to Give Fidya

The best time to give Fidya is at the beginning of Ramadan if you already know you cannot fast. This often applies to elderly individuals or those with chronic illnesses or long-term health problems that prevent fasting.

 

Giving early allows charities to plan food distribution across the days of fasting, ensuring that a needy person receives a nutritious meal for every day a fast is missed. This aligns directly with the purpose of Fidya.

Some people choose to give Fidya daily, paying for a person for every day they miss a fast. Others calculate the total number of fasts due and give one payment. Both approaches are valid.

Can Fidya Be Given During Ramadan?

Yes, Fidya can be given at any point during Ramadan. Some people only realise during the month that fasting will not be possible, particularly if a condition worsens or recovery does not happen.

 

In these cases, Fidya should be paid once it becomes clear that missed fasts cannot be made up later. What matters is that Fidya is paid for the correct number of days and that it reaches those who need it.

Giving Fidya After Ramadan

If Fidya is not given during Ramadan, it should be paid as soon as possible afterwards. Fidya does not expire. It remains a duty until fulfilled. Sometimes people learn about Fidya only after Eid al-Fitr. In these cases, paying Fidya later is still valid. The intention should clearly cover missed fasts from the previous Ramadan.

Giving Fidya Before Ramadan

It is also permissible to pay Fidya before Ramadan begins. This is common for people with permanent exemptions who know in advance that fasting will not be possible. As long as the intention is clear and the charity distributes food during Ramadan, this approach is acceptable. Many donors prefer this option to ensure food reaches families from the very first days of Ramadan.

Temporary vs Permanent Inability to Fast

Fidya only applies to permanent inability. Someone with a short-term illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or who is ill or on a journey does not give Fidya.

In these cases, the person must fast for the same number of days once able. This distinction protects the obligation of fasting while ensuring mercy where needed.

Fidya, Kaffarah, and Missed Fasts

Fidya should not be confused with Kaffarah. Fidya and Kaffarah apply to different situations.

Fidya applies when fasting is not possible. Kaffarah applies when someone deliberately breaks a fast through eating or drinking without a valid excuse. In such cases, Fidya does not apply.

Understanding this difference ensures missed fasts are handled correctly and obligations are fulfilled properly.

Ramadan, Health, and Well-being

Islam recognises the link between fasting, physical strength, and mental health. While fasting has spiritual value, it is not meant to cause harm. People experiencing serious health problems, including those affected by stress or weakness, are given exemptions.

Fasting is not prescribed for weight loss, lose weight, or health benefits. It is an act of worship. Where fasting would worsen health, Islam provides alternatives through charity.

Giving Fidya Through Charity

Many Muslims give Fidya through an Islamic charity such as Islamic Help. Organised fidya charity ensures correct calculation, transparency, and proper distribution.

 

Charities often provide guidance tools, such as a table of contents, to explain Fidya clearly. Some platforms allow donors to toggle the table or explore related topics, including how Fidya connects to the five pillars of Islam.

 

Through charity, Fidya becomes a direct act of care, turning missed fasts into meaningful support.

Conclusion

Fidya should be given as soon as a person knows fasting is not possible. Whether given before, during, or after Ramadan, the aim is the same: to ensure that missed fasts are compensated through charity. When given correctly, Fidya fulfils religious duties, supports the poor, and preserves the spirit of the holy month.

FAQs:

  • When should Fidya be given during Ramadan?
    Fidya should be given as soon as it becomes clear that fasting is not possible. Giving early in Ramadan allows food to reach needy families throughout the month, when support is most important.
  • Can Fidya be paid after Ramadan ends?
    Yes, Fidya can be paid after Ramadan if it was not given earlier. It remains an obligation until fulfilled and should be paid as soon as possible once remembered.
  • Is Fidya required for short-term illness or travel?
    No, Fidya is not required for short-term illness or travel. Missed fasts in these cases should be made up later when the person is able to fast again.
  • Can Fidya be paid before Ramadan begins?
    Yes, Fidya may be paid before Ramadan if you already know you will be unable to fast. The intention should clearly relate to the upcoming Ramadan.
  • Do daylight hours affect Fidya rulings?
    Longer daylight hours can make fasting more difficult, especially for those with health conditions. If fasting becomes unsafe and cannot be made up later, Fidya may apply.
  • How does Islamic Help distribute Fidya?
    Islamic Help distributes Fidya through trusted partners, providing nutritious food to poor and needy families during Ramadan.
  • Does Islamic Help prioritise Ramadan distributions?
    Yes, Islamic Help prioritises food distribution during Ramadan to ensure families receive support when fasting increases food needs.
  • Can someone give Fidya on my behalf?
    Yes, a family member or guardian may give Fidya on your behalf. Islamic Help accepts such donations and ensures they are distributed correctly.

updates that matter

Empower my Inbox

Volunteer

Vivamus lacinia lacus vel neque egestas, vitae volutpat purus dapibus. Nullam nec ultricies erat. Etiam ac urna metus.

    Updates that matter

    Join our mailing list for events, urgent appeals, and project updates from the communities you help empower.

      We use cookies to make your visit even better

      They help us understand how our website is used so we can improve your experience and share the stories and projects you care about most. All data is anonymous, and your privacy matters to us.
      We use cookies to make your visit even better