Fidya for missed fasts during Ramadan

When someone cannot fast in Ramadan and can’t make up the lost days afterwards (for example, because of a long-term health condition), then it’s obligatory to pay fidya for someone else to be fed.

If you are unable to fast during Ramadan, you are required to pay a charitable form of compensation (fidya).

This is only permissible for people who are genuinely unable to fast, and it is believed that they won’t ever be able to fast in the future.

In the Hanafi madhab, this doesn’t apply to pregnant or breastfeeding women, as they will be able to fast in the future. So they must perform qada (making up missed fasts) rather than paying fidya.

To make up for missing a Ramadan fast is a commandment from Allah.

Note: fidya is only for those who are suffering from long term illness or unable to fast due to old age, and they are not able to make up the fasts after Ramadan.

For each missed fast you must pay $5. This provides 1 person with 1 meal. If someoneis unable to fast all  of Ramadan, they would need to pay $150.

Fidya is due when someone does not fast because they are unable to, nor can they fast in the future. Fidya is $5 for each missed fast (the equivalent to feeding 1 person). 

Kaffarah is paid when someone breaks a fast without a valid reason. Kaffarah is approximately $400 (the equivalent of feeding 60 people).

You are eligible to pay fidya if you have missed or are exempt from fasting due to illness, old age or any other reason which prevents you from making the fasts up later.

Fidya is to be given only to the poor and needy.

Scholars consider fidyah to be like zakat, therefore those entitled to receive fidya are regarded as being among those who are entitled to zakat.

Yes, fidya is considered obligatory, as Muslims are obliged to either fast in Ramadan, or make a charitable donation if they cannot.