Fidya

What is Fidya?

So, what is Fidya? This is a type of donation that Muslims need to pay for missing any fasts during the month of Ramadan. Fidya is a way to make up for missed fasts for those who unintentionally break their fast or for those who have a good reason to not fast during the holy month. The donation is the value of feeding one hungry person two meals or feeding two people in need a one-time meal.

Anyone who is exempt from fasting at any point throughout the month of Ramadan should pay Fidya. This includes a pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating woman, someone who is too old and/or frail to fast, those with health issues who are disqualified by professionals to fast, or someone who is travelling. If a Muslim falls into one of these categories at any time during the month, they have a choice to make. They can either make up the days of missed fasts later on in the year, which many choose when they have only missed a few fasts, or they can give Fidya. Choosing this donation is ideal for those who cannot fast at all for the entire month or for those who can’t make up their missed fasts at any other time in the year, such as those with a long-term illness.

How much is Fidya for Ramadan 2026?

Many people wonder, “How much is Fidya for Ramadan 2026?”, because the donation can sometimes vary over time and it’s all dependent on how many fasts have been missed. This type of giving is a set price that includes each day of missed fasts, meaning if you’ve missed two days, you will have to pay Fidya for both of these days. Alongside this, the donation is based on the cost of staple food items in your local area. This accounts for two meals to a person in need for each day of missed fasts. The cost of the Fidya donation in the UK is typically around £6 per missed fast. If you haven’t observed any of the days of fasting throughout the month of Ramadan, for a valid reason, you will need to pay Fidya for the full 30 days. This would mean that the price of a full month will be around £180.

The importance of paying Fidya for missed fasts

Fidya for missed fasts is very important in Islam because it is a way to make it up to Allah (SWT). Fidya is the donation that Muslims make when they need to miss fasts during Ramadan due to a valid reason, such as poor health. When this is the case, a believer can choose to make up these missed fasts later on in the year or give Fidya. It is a way for many who can’t make up the fasts later on to still follow their duty, get spiritually cleansed and earn rewards from Allah (SWT). The donation allows everyone, no matter their circumstances, to partake in the obligations they have during the holy month and still benefit from the month.

As well as this, fasting (Sawm) is a core practice in Islam and is one of the five pillars, meaning it is a duty for Muslims to carry out this act of worship. Sawm allows Muslims to get closer to Allah (SWT) by showing self-discipline, which provides them with spiritual reflection and pleases Him. However, Allah (SWT) is very forgiving and understands that not everybody can be in the best position to observe the fast. This is why He created the Fidya donation for those who have a good reason to not carry out their duty. It is His way of making sure that everyone can gain the immense spiritual benefits that the holy month gives to believers.