Within Islam, Kaffarah is a way to make amends for certain mistakes. This is especially the case when a Muslim misses their obligations, such as fasting or certain oaths. To pay Kaffarah is to show mercy and seek forgiveness, giving Muslims a structured opportunity to compensate for unintentional or avoidable lapses.
At Emaan Relief, we understand that it can be difficult to grasp the meaning of Kaffarah and when and how to pay it. Explore what is Kaffarah, who needs to pay it and how you can achieve this requirement.
Kaffarah is a type of redemption, or a way to make amends, that is required when a person has violated a significant obligation within Islam. This typically applies when a Muslim has intentionally broken a fast during Ramadan without a valid reason. When this happens, the person is required to pay Kaffarah to make up for their actions and seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT). However, Kaffarah isn’t just limited to breaking the fast within Ramadan. It also applies when a Muslim hasn’t fulfilled particular vows and oaths.
So, when is Kaffarah necessary? Well, it is intended for those who have missed or broken certain religious duties with no valid reason. Kaffarah applies to Muslims who knowingly and wilfully break their fast during Ramadan. This is done by purposely eating, drinking or engaging in other activities that invalidate the fast. Once a Muslim has done this, they must pay Kaffarah to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) for their actions.
If a fast is missed because of illness, travel or other valid reasons, then Kaffarah doesn’t apply. Instead, if a Muslim needs to break fast for legitimate reasons, they can make up for the missed fasts at another point of the year when their body, mind and soul are back to full strength.
The Kaffarah for breaking fast during Ramadan triggers one of two actions within Islam. One of these actions needs to be fulfilled once a Muslim has broken fast intentionally, depending on their ability. This allows Muslims to choose how to make up for their mistakes that suit their needs and abilities. These actions are:
A popular question when it comes to Kaffarah is “How much is Kaffarah for breaking fast?” The answer to this varies, depending on the region you are in and the cost of food. When choosing option two to feed 60 needy people, Kaffarah should amount to the cost of two meals per person. However, Kaffarah for purposely missing a fast typically equates to 750 grams of staple foods to 60 poor and needy people, equal to 45kg in total. In today’s prices, this averages at around £50 for each day that a fast is purposely broken or missed.
Before you pay Kaffarah, it is crucial to check how much it is in your area with local scholars or charities, such as Emaan Relief, to correctly give Kaffarah. We provide an easy and quick way to make your Kaffarah donation on our website. We are proud to operate a timely distribution of your donations and a 100% donation policy, to ensure every penny of your Kaffarah reaches those in need quickly.
Fidya and Kaffarah can often be mixed up and the difference between them can be unclear. To understand their differences in Islam, it is ideal to first understand what Fidya is.
Fidya is a mandatory charitable contribution that is required when a Muslim misses a fast because of a valid reason. It is intended for those who can’t fast and aren’t able to make up for the missed fast days at a later date. This can be because their health and strength won’t get better at another point in the year. Instead, these people need to pay Fidya to provide a meal to two people in poverty or they can offer two meals to one needy person.
People who are expected to pay Fidya can be: elderly people, people who take specific medications, those with chronic mental health conditions, Muslims with short-term illnesses during Ramadan, and women who are pregnant. Currently, for 2025, the amount that must be paid for Fidya equates to around £4 per person per missed fast. So, if a Muslim can’t fast throughout the entire Ramadan, the must donate £120.
So, the difference between Fidya and Kaffarah is that Fidya applies to those who have a valid excuse for being unable to fast. Kaffarah is the payment required for those who purposely miss or break a fast without a valid excuse. However, both share the similarity of serving a unique purpose as they reflect the values of compassion and responsibility, which are core values within Islamic teachings. Plus, they are both compulsory payments as fasting (Sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and if it’s missed, these payments give Muslims a way to achieve this responsibility.
Even though Kaffarah is a type of mercy and a way to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) for lapses, it is vital to make a conscious effort to achieve the religious duties, ensuring there are no interruptions. To help you fulfil your obligations, we have outlined some tips to use during Ramadan to avoid intentionally missing fasts.
The best way to pay Kaffarah is via a charitable organisation to ensure your payment reaches those most in need. Charities like Emaan Relief, can provide a lifeline for vulnerable Muslims around the world with your donations. We use these donations to provide monthly support for families, especially in Lebanon and Yemen. We also provide shelter for those living in dire conditions and offer essential healthcare to those who can’t afford it. Give Kaffarah to Emaan Relief today to make sure that every single penny of your contributions reaches the needy in a timely manner.
