In Islam, "Fidya" refers to a charitable donation made when someone misses a fast during Ramadan due to a valid reason, while "Kaffarah" is a much larger expiation payment made when someone deliberately breaks a fast without a valid reason.
Fidya
Fidya is a donation for those to give who cannot fast in Ramadan. Some people have chronic illness or old age weakness. Ramadan rules allow an alternative for them. They must give Fidya instead of fasting. It ensures they fulfill their obligation. But if a person is temporarily unable to fast, they must make up for missed fasts later by fasting.
The Quran states,
شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
(Quran 2:184)
Allah (SWT) also says,
لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَعَلَيۡهَا مَا ٱكۡتَسَبَتۡۗ رَبَّنَا
“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope.”
(Quran 2:286)
How much is Fidya?
Fidya for each missed fast depends on your location. Fidya is the amount of food needed to feed a person for one whole day or its monetary equivalent. It is calculated based on the staple food prices available in local markets. That is why Fidya varies from place to place. The exact amount is decided right before Ramadan.
Can I give more than this fidya amount?
If you are wondering if you can donate more than this amount, then the answer is yes. This is actually the minimum fidya to be donated. If you want to donate more, you can absolutely do that. And it is more virtuous to do so.
Fidya in Ramadan 2025
Fidya in Ramadan 2025 is about US$7.00 per missed fast. The total for the holy month is around US$203 - US$210 in the United States. You can also provide food to a needy person for a day for each missed fast. Some donate food directly or through charities. The Prophet’s (PBUH) companions also practiced this.
How to calculate Fidya
Calculating Fidya is quite straightforward. The amount of Fidya for missing one fast in your country or region is determined based on the current market situation. Now, multiply it by the number of days you missed fasting, and you get the fidya amount.
Fidya amount X number of missed fast = Fidya for the month Ramadan 2025
Suppose you miss 10 fasts this year. With fidya of US$7 per missed fast, the total fidya for 2025 becomes US$ 7 x 10 = US$ 70.
Who is eligible for Fidya?
As already mentioned, fidya is a compensation for those who cannot fast due to long term illness or old age. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are also eligible for fidya if fasting proves to be harmful to them. However, some scholars have a different opinion and suggest making up for the missed fasts.
However, if someone is poor and cannot afford fidya, even if they are eligible, they are exempted from this. They should, instead, ask for forgiveness from Allah.
If someone is sick from a temporary illness and expected to get better, then they are not eligible for fidya. Also, if someone breaks their fast intentionally without any valid reason, they are not eligible for fidya. If a traveler misses fasting on Ramadan, they also have to make it up later.
Eligibility to Receive Fidya
Fidya must be given to the poor. It includes people who struggle for daily food. Those who cannot afford Ramadan meals are the best candidates. Children in need can also receive Fidya. In short, people who are eligible to receive Zakat, can accept Fidya as well.
However, close relatives such as parents, spouse, children, etc, who are dependent on you, are not eligible to receive it.
How to fulfill the Obligation of Fidya?
You can pay fidya in primarily two ways - feeding the needy or by paying the needy the equivalent amount.
Feeding the needy person - You can cook yourself and give it to the poor person directly. Instead of cooked food, you can also donate food ingredients like rice, pulses, etc. for the person.
Paying the monetary amount - This is also acceptable. You can give the fidya amount to the poor person or persons directly.
Fidya through a charitable organisation - You can also choose a trusted Islamic charitable organisation for distributing fidya on your behalf. Many national and international Islamic charities collect fidya and give it to the needy. You can select one such institution.
What if someone recovers after donating fidya?
It is advised to make up for the missed fasts in this case. And paid fidya will be considered as sadaqa.
What if someone passes away before paying fidya?
Fidya should be paid from the property they have left.
Fidya is a way to fulfill the obligation of a Muslim who cannot fast due to serious health conditions. So, celebrate this Ramadan by helping the needy. Your Fidya provides them with a breaking-fast meal. This reflects the true meaning of compassion and giving during Ramadan. The Quran states,
وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينٗا وَيَتِيمٗا وَأَسِيرًا
“And they give food, out of their love for Him (Allah), to the needy, and the orphan, and the captive.”
(Quran 76:8)
Kaffarah
Kaffarah means expiation or atonement of sin in simple words. In Islam it is a kind of worship to Allah to atone for particular wrong-doings. It is a compensation for that sin. In Islam one has to fulfill the obligation of Kaffarah in cases such as - not adhering to the rules of fasting, ihram/Hajj, breaking a promise, committing unintentional murder and others. Here we will go details about Kaffarah for fasting only.
Kaffarah For Fasting
Fasting is a key part of Ramadan. Allah (SWT) commands fasting in this month, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 185. So, if someone breaks a Ramadan fasting deliberately, they must offer Kaffarah (كفارة).
The compensation is continuously fasting for 60 days or feeding 60 poor people. In Ramdan 2025, Kaffarah is about $425 if given as a donation. Breaking a fast in Ramadan 2025 also requires sincere repentance. Allah (SWT) says:
غَافِرِ الذَّنْبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ
"The forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, owner of abundance. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the destination."
(Quran 40:3)
Kaffarah is a way to rectify mistakes by giving something in return. It teaches the importance of intentions, integrity and discipline in following Islam.
Who Must Give Kaffarah?
Kaffarah for breaking a fast during Ramadan is required when someone intentionally breaks their fast without a valid reason, such as eating, drinking, or engaging in sexual activity. A Muslim who can fast but intentionally misses a fast is obligated to give Kaffarah as well.
A Hadith states: Narrated Abu Huraira:
"While we were sitting with the Prophet (PBUH) a man came and said, "O Allah's Messenger (PBUH)! I have been ruined." Allah's Messenger (PBUH) asked what was the matter with him. He replied "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while I was fasting." Allah's Messenger (PBUH) asked him, "Can you afford to manumit a slave?" He replied in the negative. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) asked him, "Can you fast for two successive months?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet (PBUH) asked him, "Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?" He replied in the negative. The Prophet (PBUH) kept silent and while we were in that state, a big basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet (PBUH) . He asked, "Where is the questioner?" He replied, "I (am here)." The Prophet (PBUH) said (to him), "Take this (basket of dates) and give it in charity." The man said, "Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah; there is no family between its (i.e. Medina's) two mountains who are poorer than I." The Prophet (PBUH) smiled till his premolar teeth became visible and then said, 'Feed your family with it."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1936)
Eligibility To Receive Kaffarah
The Eligibility for receiving kaffarah is same as Fidya. The recipients of Kaffarah should be those in need. Particularly the poor, as the purpose is to help them while atoning for the violation of the fast. It should only be given to the less fortunate who find it difficult to afford meals or daily necessities.
Ways To Give Kaffarah
You can give Kaffarah in 3 ways in the hierarchy mentioned below. It means you cannot choose which method you want to follow; rather, you must fast for 60 days. Only if you are unable to do that, you can choose the second method i.e. feed the poor people.
Fast continuously for 60 Days – The Kaffarah for missing or breaking one fast without a valid reason is to fast continuously for 60 days or two consecutive lunar months. Missing even one day restarts the count.
There are two exceptions though. If there are days in between when fasting is not allowed (on Eid days) and for women during their period. In these cases, a person does not have to restart the fasting.
However, if someone fasts for 59 days and cannot fast on the 60th day even due to valid reasons such as sickness, they have to restart the count from the beginning.
Feed 60 Poor People – If fasting is not possible, you must give Ramadan meals to 60 poor people. This can be done by directly donating food or giving money or doing the same through a reliable charity. You can also feed one poor person for 60 days as well. However, these days do not need to be consecutive.
Free a Slave – If you are unable to do both, then the other method of fulfilling kaffarah is by freeing a slave, but it is not possible today as the practice of salvery has been abolished.
When To Give Kaffarah
There is no fixed timeline for it. You can fast sooner or later. But pick a time when you can fast for 60 days at one stretch.
If you are paying Kaffarah by donating food or equivalent monetary value, then as well, you can give it any time. If you are donating to one person for 60 days, the days need not be consecutive.
How Much Is Kaffarah?
Just like Fidya, Kaffarah for each missed fast depends on where you live. It is a penalty for intentionally missing or breaking a fast without a valid reason during Ramadan. To fulfill Kaffarah, a person must either fast for 60 continuous days without any break or feed 60 poor people. The cost of feeding 60 people is based on local food prices. This is why the exact amount of Kaffarah varies from place to place. The specific cost is usually determined by local religious authorities or charities.
Kaffarah In Ramadan 2025
Kaffarah is calculated by feeding 60 people for a day for each broken/missed fast. The cost is about $7 per person, making the total $420 for one broken or missed fast. If the entire month of fasting is missed, the total Kaffarah is approximately $12,600 in the United States.
How To Calculate Kaffarah
Calculating Kaffarah is pretty simple. Kaffarah is calculated based on feeding 60 poor people for each intentionally missed or borken fast. The cost per person is around US$7 in 2025.
So the total for one missed fast is:
Kaffarah per missed fast = 60 × Cost of feeding one person = 60 × US$7 = US$420
If someone misses all 30 fasts in Ramadan, the total Kaffarah is:
Kaffarah for the whole month = 30 × US$420 = US$12,600 for the month of Ramadan 2025.
Fidya v/s Kaffarah
Fidya and Kaffarah are two ideas of Islam relating to fasting in Ramadan. They can be confusing sometimes. But they are completely different and becomes obligation to Muslims under different circumstances.
The main contrast between Fidya and Kaffarah is the reason for leaving out fasting. If someone is unable to fast due to valid reasons such as illness, weakness due to old age etc, they are eligible to pay Fidya. However if someone misses a fast in Ramadan without valid reasons, they must give Kaffarah. So if someone does not complete a fast intentionally with no valid reason whatsoever, Kaffarah becomes a binding on them.
Secondly, fidya is a donation that you pay if you are unable to fast due to chronic illness and such valid reasons. Kaffarah is atonement or expiation for missing or breaking a fast without a legitimate cause.
Thirdly, fidya and kaffarah differ in terms of the actions you need to perform to fulfill these obligations. The fidya amount for one missed fast is the amount of food needed to satisfy two meals of the day for a person or its monetary equivalent in your locality. On the other hand, one must fast continuously for 60 days as kaffarah for missing or breaking one fast. If they cannot do that, they have to feed 60 poor people to carry out kaffarah.
We must understand the importance of fidya and kaffarah and fulfill these obligations if we become eligible for these.