During Ramadan, fasting is a gratifying and important practice where Muslims abstain from food and drinks from dawn until dusk.
In certain situations, however, Muslims who cannot fast for circumstances beyond their control can compensate for the days lost. This compensation is known as the “Fidyah”.
Read on to get a breakdown of Fidyah, the rules behind it, and where you can donate it.
What is Fidyah?
Fidyah is a form of religious compensation or expiation for Muslims who cannot fast during the holy month of Ramadan due to circumstances such as illness, pregnancy, or old age, and not for the deliberate omission of fasting days.
When a Muslim must skip a day of fasting, they give Fidyah as a monetary or food offering to support underprivileged individuals. A Fidyah must be given for each day skipped, and each Fidyah must be the equivalent of 2 meals.
Who Can Pay Fidyah?
Fidyah is paid by someone who cannot fast throughout Ramadan and cannot make up for the fasts at any other time. And since fasting during Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam, Muslims must make up for any missed fasts.
Here’s a list of people who, by religion, can pay Fidyah:
- The elderly who are too weak to fast
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women who fear for their or their child’s health
- Those with chronic illnesses or on medication that prevent them from fasting
To give the Fidyah according to correct practices, it’s very important that the individual has the sincere intention (Niyyah) in doing good.
How Do You Give Fidyah?
To give Fidyah, follow these steps:
- Check with your religious reference if you’re eligible for Fidyah, and be sincere with your intention (Niyyah).
- Calculate the Fidyah you must give based on the missed fasts.
- Choose a reliable and impactful channel for your Fidyah donations, such as local mosques, charities, or NGOs.
By donating your Fidyah to Takaful, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of underprivileged children.
When Should Fidyah be Given?
Fidyah should ideally be given during or immediately after Ramadan. It is essential to give Fidyah promptly, as it helps fulfill religious obligations and provides timely support to those in need. If you need clarification on the timing of your Fidyah, consult your religious reference or your local Islamic center for guidance.
How Much Should the Amount of Fidyah Be?
Fidyah should ideally be given during or immediately after Ramadan. It is essential to give Fidyah promptly, as it helps fulfill religious obligations and provides timely support to those in need. If you need clarification on the timing of your Fidyah, consult your religious reference or your local Islamic center for guidance.
How Much Should the Amount of Fidyah Be?
The calculation of Fidyah is based on the equivalence of a Sa’ (/sˤaːʕ/), half of a Sa’, or a Mudd (/mud/), which is a quarter of a Sa’.
Sa’ and Mudd were customary units of measurement used during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) but are no longer used today.
As a result, Fidyah is now determined by converting the grain contribution from these ancient units to grams/kilograms in modern terms.
Measuring Units
Mudd (1 Double-Handful) = 0.650 kg and 0.675 kg
Half A Sa’ (2 Double-Handfuls) = 1.3 kg and 1.35 kg
Sa’ (4 Double-Handfuls) = 2.6 kg and 2.7 kg
To calculate the individual Fidyah amount, use the following formula:
Number of missed Fast x Value of Food/kilogram = Fidyah Amount Owed.
Difference Between Fidyah and Kaffara
Kaffara is another form of religious compensation in Islam, but it differs from Fidyah in its purpose, eligibility, and calculation. Kaffara is applicable when a person intentionally breaks or misses a fast without a valid reason. In such cases, the person must fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 people in need.
To pay your Kaffara, you can do that at Takaful, too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fidyah is a vital concept in Islam that allows Muslims to compensate for missed fasts and fulfill their religious duties. By understanding Fidyah and considering Takaful for Child Welfare for these donations, you’d fulfill your religious obligations while helping children who need your support in Ramadan.
Donate your Fidyah online with Takaful.
