Ramadan 2026: Calculate Your Fidyah & Kaffarah Obligation
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During Ramadan, Muslims who are unable to fast or who have broken their fast need to fulfill their religious obligation through Fidyah or Kaffarah. This calculator helps you determine the correct amount based on your location and circumstances.
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Why: Muslims who cannot fast (elderly, ill, pregnant, travel) or who have deliberately broken a fast must fulfill their obligation through Fidyah or Kaffarah. The amount varies by country and meal cost.
How: Fidyah: 2 meals per day × meal cost × days. Kaffarah: 60 people × 2 meals × meal cost per day deliberately broken. We use local meal costs from Islamic Relief and regional sources.
Run the calculator when you are ready.
📊 Your Obligation
Payment guidance
- Pay to mosques or Islamic charities (Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid).
- Recommended: Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, local mosque food programs.
Cost breakdown by day
Fidyah vs Kaffarah
Fidyah Obligation
Step-by-step:
Pay to mosques or Islamic charities (Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid). Recommended: Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, local mosque food programs.
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
1. What Is Fidyah?
Fidyah is compensation for those unable to fast during Ramadan. It is based on Quran 2:184: "And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship]—a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person." For each day missed, one feeds a poor person or pays the equivalent cost of an average meal.
The obligation applies to those who cannot fast at all (e.g., elderly, chronically ill) or who delay making up fasts beyond the next Ramadan without valid excuse.
2. What Is Kaffarah?
Kaffarah is a severe penalty for deliberately breaking a fast without valid excuse (e.g., eating or drinking intentionally). For each day broken, one must either fast 60 consecutive days or feed 60 people two meals each (or feed one person for 60 days).
The 60-day fast must be consecutive; if interrupted, one must start over or feed 60 people instead. Scholars differ on whether multiple broken days multiply the obligation or require separate 60-day periods.
3. Who Qualifies for Fidyah?
Fidyah applies to: elderly who cannot fast, chronically ill (e.g., diabetes, kidney disease), pregnant or nursing women who fear harm, travelers, and those who cannot make up fasts before the next Ramadan without valid excuse.
Children before puberty are exempt. Those with temporary illness must make up fasts later; Fidyah applies only if they delay beyond the next Ramadan.
4. When Does Kaffarah Apply?
Kaffarah applies when one deliberately eats or drinks during fasting hours without a valid excuse (e.g., illness, travel, or forgetfulness—forgiveness is granted for forgetfulness). Sexual intercourse during fasting also incurs Kaffarah.
Valid excuses (illness, travel, menstruation) do not require Kaffarah; one makes up the fasts instead.
5. Scholarly Opinions on Amounts
Hanafi: Fidyah is one sa' (a measure) of wheat or its equivalent per day. Shafi'i and Maliki: one mudd (half a sa') of staple food per day. Hanbali: similar to Shafi'i. Modern scholars often use the cost of an average meal in the local currency.
For Kaffarah, all schools agree on 60 people or 60 consecutive days. The meal cost varies by region and inflation.
6. How to Calculate Meal Cost
Use the cost of an average meal in your locality—typically a modest meal that would satisfy a poor person. Traditional measure: one sa' of wheat or grain (≈2.5–3 kg). Modern practice: average cost of a simple meal (bread, rice, lentils, vegetables).
Islamic Relief, Muslim Council, and local mosques publish annual Fidyah rates by country. Adjust for local inflation.
7. Where to Pay Fidyah/Kaffarah
Pay to mosques, Islamic Relief, Muslim Aid, or local charities that distribute food to the needy. Ensure the charity uses funds for feeding the poor. Many organizations run Ramadan food programs and accept Fidyah/Kaffarah donations.
Verify the charity's legitimacy and that they use funds for the intended purpose. Local mosques often have direct food distribution programs.
8. Can You Pay in Advance?
Yes. Fidyah can be paid before Ramadan if you know you will not fast (e.g., permanent illness). Some pay during Ramadan for the multiplied reward. Pay in installments or as a lump sum. Many charities accept pre-Ramadan Fidyah.
Kaffarah should be paid as soon as possible after the day is broken. Consult a scholar if you delay.
9. Making Up Fasts vs Paying
If you can fast later (e.g., temporary illness, travel), you must make up the fasts. Fidyah only applies if you cannot fast at all or delay beyond the next Ramadan without valid excuse. If you delay without excuse, you owe both Fidyah and the obligation to make up fasts (scholars differ).
For Kaffarah, you cannot choose fasting or feeding—you must do one. If you cannot complete 60 consecutive fasts, you feed 60 people.
10. Quran and Hadith References
Quran 2:184: "And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship]—a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person." Hadith: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever breaks a fast without excuse must fast 60 days or feed 60 people (Bukhari, Muslim).
The measure of food (sa', mudd) is derived from prophetic practice. Consult a qualified scholar for your specific situation.
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