Fidya & Kaffarah 2026 — UK Guide
Fidya is paid for fasts you are permanently unable to keep. Kaffarah is a much larger expiation for deliberately breaking a valid fast. Neither is the same as Zakat.
For each day you are permanently unable to fast
Full month: 30 × £5 = £150
For each fast deliberately and intentionally broken
= Feeding 60 poor people @ £5 each
Fidya — compensation for the permanently unable
Fidya (Arabic: فدية) is paid when a person is permanently unable to fast due to:
- A chronic or terminal illness
- Old age (too frail to fast)
- A medical condition where fasting is permanently harmful (e.g. advanced diabetes, kidney disease requiring constant hydration)
- Permanent pregnancy complications (though this is more nuanced — consult a scholar)
For each day missed, the person pays the cost of feeding one poor person two meals — approximately £5 per day in the UK in 2026.
If you missed all 30 days of Ramadan due to permanent inability: 30 × £5 = £150.
Kaffarah — expiation for deliberately breaking a fast
Kaffarah (Arabic: كفارة) is required when a person deliberately and intentionally breaks a valid Ramadan fast — without a legitimate excuse — through:
- Eating or drinking intentionally
- Sexual intercourse
- Other major deliberate nullifiers
Accidentally eating or drinking (forgetfully) does not break the fast and requires no Kaffarah. Breaking the fast due to illness, travel, or another valid excuse also does not require Kaffarah — only Qada (making it up).
The Kaffarah for deliberate fast-breaking (in order of priority):
- Free an enslaved person — not applicable in contemporary context
- Fast for 60 consecutive days — if unable to do so
- Feed 60 poor people — the practical option in the UK
Feeding 60 people at £5 per person = £300 per deliberately broken fast.
Fidya vs Kaffarah vs Zakat — key differences
| Feature | Fidya | Kaffarah | Zakat al-Mal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reason | Permanently unable to fast | Deliberately broke a fast | Annual wealth obligation |
| Amount (2026 UK) | £5/day | £300/broken fast | 2.5% of net wealth |
| Annual? | Per Ramadan | Per offence | Yes, every Hawl |
| Related to wealth? | No | No | Yes — above Nisab |
Frequently asked questions
What is Fidya?
Fidya is a compensatory payment made when a person is permanently unable to fast — due to a chronic illness, old age, or a condition that makes fasting impossible and unlikely to improve. For each day of Ramadan missed, the person pays Fidya of approximately £5 (the cost of two meals for a poor person) or feeds one poor person per missed day.
What is Kaffarah?
Kaffarah is a much larger expiation required when someone deliberately breaks a valid Ramadan fast without a permissible reason — through eating, drinking, sexual relations, or other nullifiers, done intentionally. The Kaffarah for deliberately breaking a fast is: free a slave (not applicable today), OR fast for 60 consecutive days, OR feed 60 poor people. In the UK, feeding 60 people is the practical option, typically £5 per person = £300 total per deliberately broken fast.
Can I pay Fidya instead of making up missed fasts?
No — if you missed fasts due to a temporary illness, travel, or pregnancy, and your health has since recovered, you must make up those fasts (Qada). Fidya only applies to those who are permanently unable to fast. If in doubt, consult a scholar about your specific situation.
What is the Fidya amount for 2026 UK?
Fidya 2026 in the UK is typically £5 per missed day, which covers the equivalent cost of two basic meals for a poor person. To pay for a full month of Ramadan missed: 30 × £5 = £150. You can pay through a charity that distributes food directly to the poor.
Is Fidya the same as Zakat?
No. Fidya is a separate compensation for missed fasts — it is not part of your Zakat obligation. Zakat is your annual 2.5% wealth obligation. You must fulfil both independently if both apply to you.