A Reminder about Qada (Make-Up) Fasts, Fidyah, and Kaffarah

In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

A reminder on some of the rulings regarding Qada (make-up) fasts and offering Fidyah and Kaffarah (expiation for missing fasts)

قبل حلول رمضان: أهم أحكام القضاء والفدية والكفارة
إضغط هنا لقراءة التفاصيل

It is well known that a person who misses a fast from the month of Ramadan is required to make it up. In addition, sometimes such cases require offering a fidyah and/or a kaffarah as well. Therefore, we draw the attention of the believers to some of the most important rules regarding qada, fidyah, and kaffarah as we approach the holy month of Ramadan. We ask Almighty God to grant us success in our obedience and sincere worship to Him.

It is obligatory to make up fasts of the month of Ramadan that were missed due to an illness, travel, or similar circumstances (with certain exceptions).
Based on recommended precaution one should make up their missed fast before the next month of Ramadan.
If one has missed fasting the entire or part of the month of Ramadan due to a legitimate excuse/reason, but does not make up the missed fast(s) before the next month of Ramadan (i.e. over the course of the following year) due to negligence, they must make up the fast and offer kaffarah for delaying the qada fast.
If one has missed fasting the entire or part of the month of Ramadan without a legitimate excuse/reason, and does not make up the missed fast(s) before the next month of Ramadan, he/she must make up the missed fast, and based on obligatory precaution offer kaffarah for delaying the qada fast. In addition, the kaffarah for intentionally breaking the fast without a legitimate excuse/reason must be offered (see below).
A person who is unable to fast due to a chronic disease is not required to perform qada but must offer fidyah.
A person who finds it excessively difficult to fast on account of old age must offer fidyah and is not required to perform qada, however, if they [absolutely] cannot fast, no fidyah or qada are required.
A pregnant woman in her last two months [of pregnancy] who is unable to fast due to [resulting] harm on her or the fetus must offer fidyah and make up the fast(s). The same rule applies to a nursing mother if there is fear of the breast milk stopping [as a result of fasting] and this breast feeding is the only way to feed the newborn. However, in the case of a nursing mother who is capable of feeding her child by other means, such as using baby formula, she may not break her fast based on obligatory precaution.
Fidyah is a compensation offered for not being able to fast. It is to feed one poor person for each day [missed]. For example, one who is not able to fast the entire month must offer thirty (or twenty-nine depending on how many days were in the month in that year) meals to the poor.
Kaffarah is an expiation for deliberately breaking one’s fast without a valid excuse/reason during the month of Ramadan. In addition, a kaffarah must also be offered for delaying a qada fast until the next month of Ramadan as mentioned previously.
The kaffarah for intentionally breaking one’s fast during the month of Ramadan is either to fast for sixty days or feed sixty poor persons for each day missed. This is in addition to being obligated to perform the qada fast(s).
It is permissible to offer the entire fidyah to a single poor person, but the kaffarah for deliberately breaking one’s fast without a valid excuse/reason during the month of Ramadan must be to feed sixty distinct [poor] persons.
When it comes to the fidyah and the kaffarah, nothing but “feeding” suffices. The amount of food “fed” must be the average of what we usually feed ourselves and our families. According to Islamic law, a single “feeding” must be the equivalent of at least 1.65 lbs. (750 grams) of wheat, rice or dates.
It is permissible to pay money with the condition of delegating to the appropriate entity, trustworthy person, or the poor person themselves, as long as one feels assured that the food will be bought and offered. It is not permissible to purchase anything other than food with the money.

An Important Note:

In collaboration with other charitable organizations, I.M.A.M. takes on the responsibility of feeding the poor and needy in the United States, these “foods” are not transported abroad unless the supplies exceed the need. Those inclined can send their required fidyah and kaffarah by clicking on the following links:

Click here for Fidyah payment service

Click here for Kaffarah payment service

May God accept your fasts and good deeds, and may every year grant you the best of health and spirits.

I.M.A.M.