
In Islamic jurisprudence, fidya and kaffara are two important concepts related to compensating for missed or broken fasts during Ramadan. While both involve a form of recompense, they apply to different situations and carry distinct rulings. Understanding these concepts is crucial for Muslims who may find themselves unable to fast or who have broken their fast intentionally.
Fidya: Compensation for Inability to Fast
Definition: Fidya is a form of compensation required from those who are permanently unable to fast due to old age, chronic illness, or a condition that prevents fasting indefinitely.
Quranic Basis: The concept of fidya is mentioned in the Quran: "And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]" (2:184)
Who Must Pay Fidya:
- Elderly individuals who cannot fast due to frailty
- Chronically ill people whose condition prevents fasting
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, if fasting poses a risk to their health or their child's (according to some scholars)
How to Pay Fidya:
- Amount: The typical fidya is to feed one poor person for each missed day of fasting
- Calculation: This is usually equivalent to the cost of an average full meal in your area or the value of approximately 1.5 kg of staple food
- Timing: Fidya can be paid before, during, or after Ramadan
Important Notes:
- Fidya does not exempt one from fasting if their condition improves and they become able to fast
- If someone pays fidya and later becomes able to fast, they should make up the missed fasts in addition to the fidya already paid
Kaffara: Expiation for Deliberately Breaking a Fast
Definition: Kaffara is a more severe form of compensation required when someone intentionally breaks their fast during Ramadan without a valid reason.
Prophetic Basis: The concept of kaffara for breaking a fast comes from a hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prescribed it for a man who had intimate relations with his wife during a Ramadan day.
When Kaffara is Required: Kaffara is obligatory when someone:
- Deliberately eats or drinks during a Ramadan fast
- Has intimate relations during a Ramadan fast
- Intentionally vomits during a Ramadan fast (according to some schools of thought)
How to Pay Kaffara: The kaffara for breaking a fast is to do one of the following, in this order of preference:
- Fast for two consecutive months
- Feed sixty poor people
If one is unable to do any of these due to genuine inability, they should seek forgiveness from Allah and make a sincere commitment not to repeat the offense.
Important Notes:
- Kaffara is in addition to making up the missed fast
- The two months of fasting must be consecutive; if interrupted (except for valid reasons like illness or travel), one must start over
- Kaffara is required for each day the fast was deliberately broken
Differences Between Fidya and Kaffara:
- Reason: Fidya is for those unable to fast, while kaffara is for deliberately breaking a fast
- Amount: Fidya is typically feeding one person per missed day, while kaffara involves feeding sixty people for each day (if choosing the feeding option)
- Alternatives: Fidya has only one form (feeding the poor), while kaffara has alternatives (fasting or feeding)
- Duration: Fidya may be a long-term or permanent solution, while kaffara is a one-time expiation for a specific incident
Conclusion: Understanding the concepts of fidya and kaffara is essential for Muslims to properly address situations where fasts are missed or broken. Fidya provides a compassionate alternative for those permanently unable to fast, while kaffara serves as a serious reminder of the sanctity of the Ramadan fast. Both concepts demonstrate the balance in Islamic teachings between upholding religious obligations and acknowledging human limitations and mistakes.