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Both Fidya and Kaffarah are vital aspects of the holy month of Ramadan and are ways for Muslims to make up for missed fasts. These are charitable donations that need to be given when a believer either misses their fast for a valid reason, like due to medical reasons or age, or when they purposely miss a fast for no good reason. The donations are in place because fasting is a core act of worship for the holy month and fulfils one of the five pillars of Islam, so it’s an act that must be observed and not broken without a valid reason. Fasting helps Muslims connect closer to Allah (SWT), strengthen their faith, purify their hearts and souls, provides spiritual renewal and builds compassion for the poor and hungry. So, without fasting, believers don’t get to earn the rewards or benefits of Ramadan as the religious obligation isn’t fulfilled.
To understand the difference between Fidya and Kaffarah, you need to understand what each of them is and when you need to pay them. These donations are set by Allah (SWT) to ensure that those who cannot fast for a valid reason have the opportunity to make up for it and participate in the holy month properly, as well as those who have knowingly broken their fast to seek redemption for their sin.
Fidya is a way for Muslims to make up for missing fasts for a valid reason during Ramadan. This is either done as a charitable donation or by making up the fasts that were missed at a later date in the Islamic year. It’s for believers who meet the regulations for exemption that are outlined in the Quran, including the elderly, those with medical issues, menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those who are travelling.
Fidya is made for Muslims who know that they cannot make up their missed fasts at another time in the year, while those who can make them up should do so. The donation covers the cost of feeding two meals to a needy person or a one-time meal to two people in need. This helps those who are facing unimaginable poverty and hardship to finally end their suffering through a nourishing, healthy meal.
Kaffarah is a payment that must be made by any Muslim who knowingly breaks their fast during Ramadan without a valid reason. If a believer is able to observe the fast and they purposely eat, drink or get involved in any other prohibited act (like backbiting or sexual activity, they must pay Kaffarah. This helps them to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and make amends for their bad choices. Kaffarah is essentially a penalty for purposely breaking the fast for no good reason.
This penalty has two ways in which a Muslim can gain forgiveness. They can either make up for the missed fasts by fasting for two months straight (60 days consecutively) or make a donation to feed 60 people in need if they cannot fast for two months back to back. This is the penalty for missing a fast, so if another fast is missed or broken intentionally, they must start the 60-day fast again.
Feeds 60 people
The payment of Fidya is required when a Muslim misses fasting for a legitimate reason and cannot compensate for it afterwards. Here are some individuals permitted to miss their fasts and instead donate Fidya:
When it comes to who can receive Fidya or Kaffarah, it’s very similar to the rulings of Zakat. Both Fidya and Kaffarah should only be given to those in need, such as struggling families who cannot afford to put food on their tables. These people are facing hunger and devastation with no support. At Orphans in Need, we ensure that your Fidya and Kaffarah donations reach those in the most desperate situations, helping to transform the lives of those who need it most.
Fulfil your obligation this Ramadan by giving Fidya or Kaffarah, and don’t forget to Give Your Zakat to support orphans and vulnerable families.
For Ramadan 2026, both Fidya and Kaffarah are around £5 per missed fast. This is calculated based on per person, as well as for each fast that’s missed, and covers the price of feeding two meals made of staple ingredients to a hungry person, or 60 meals to feed 60 hungry people. For Fidya, if a Muslim cannot fast throughout the whole month of Ramadan for a valid reason, they need to donate £150 in total. As for Kaffarah, if a believer purposely misses just one day of fasting, they would need to pay £300 in total.
When thinking about the difference between Kaffarah and Fidya, it’s important to remember that Fidya only applies to those who have a valid reason for why they cannot fast, while Kaffarah is needed for those who deliberately miss or break a fast with no good reason as to why. This is the main difference between the two, but both are vital in Islam because Fidya and Kaffarah reflect the core values of compassion and responsibility.
Both Fidya and Kaffarah should be paid as soon as possible when fasts are missed. Fidya can be paid at any time of the year, but it’s recommended to pay it during the holy month or right afterwards so that you don’t forget. As for Kaffarah, it’s highly encouraged to pay this straight after the purposely missed fasts to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT). You can also donate Fidya or Kaffarah for missed or broken fasts from previous years during Ramadan if needed.
Fasting, or sawm, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which requires all able Muslims past puberty to observe the fasts of Ramadan. For those who cannot fulfil this obligation due to valid reasons or those who miss a fast deliberately, Fidya or Kaffarah offers a way to fulfil this responsibility compassionately.
Make your Fidya and Kaffarah donation during Ramadan 2026 to help vulnerable widows and orphans through vital sustenance. Your donations have the power to save their lives and bring hope for a brighter future away from poverty and hardship. End their suffering and make a meaningful difference with your Fidya/Kaffarah.
