Fidya Kaffarah Calculator
Calculate fidya and kaffarah amounts for missed fasts based on local food costs. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Fidya = Missed Days x Meal Cost; Kaffarah = Missed Days x 60 x Meal Cost
Fidya requires feeding one poor person per missed fast day. Kaffarah requires feeding 60 poor people per deliberately broken fast day, or fasting 60 consecutive days per offense. The meal cost should reflect the price of an average meal for a poor person in your locality.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Elderly Person: 30 Days Fidya
Problem:An elderly person cannot fast any day of Ramadan (30 days). Local meal cost is $10. Calculate fidya amount.
Solution:Fidya per day (monetary) = $10 (cost of one meal)\nTotal fidya = $10 x 30 days = $300\n\nAlternatively (Hanafi wheat-based):\nWheat per day = 2.176 kg\nTotal wheat = 2.176 x 30 = 65.28 kg\nAt $0.50/kg = $32.64\n\nShafi'i wheat-based:\nWheat per day = 0.68 kg\nTotal wheat = 0.68 x 30 = 20.40 kg\nAt $0.50/kg = $10.20
Result:Fidya total: $300 (monetary) or 65.28 kg wheat (Hanafi) or 20.40 kg wheat (Shafi'i)
Example 2: Kaffarah: 3 Deliberately Broken Fasts
Problem:A person deliberately broke 3 fasts. Local meal cost is $10. Calculate kaffarah.
Solution:Kaffarah per broken fast: Feed 60 poor people\nTotal people to feed = 60 x 3 = 180\nCost = 180 x $10 = $1,800\n\nAlternatively: Fast 60 consecutive days per broken fast\nTotal fasting days = 60 x 3 = 180 days\n(Each 60-day block must be consecutive)
Result:Kaffarah: Feed 180 people ($1,800) or fast 180 consecutive days (60 per offense)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fidya and when is it required?
Fidya is a charitable compensation paid by Muslims who are unable to fast during Ramadan due to valid long-term or permanent reasons and cannot make up the fasts later. It applies to individuals who are chronically ill, elderly and frail, pregnant or breastfeeding women who fear for their health or their child, and those with medical conditions that make fasting dangerous. The fidya amount is typically equivalent to feeding one poor person for each missed day of fasting. According to the Hanafi school, this equals half a sa' (approximately 2.176 kg) of wheat or its monetary equivalent per day. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools use a smaller measure of one mudd (approximately 0.68 kg). Fidya should ideally be paid during Ramadan itself.
What is kaffarah and how does it differ from fidya?
Kaffarah is a more severe penalty required when a person deliberately breaks their Ramadan fast without a valid Islamic excuse, such as intentionally eating, drinking, or engaging in intimate relations during fasting hours. Unlike fidya, which is a simple compensation, kaffarah serves as an expiation for the sin of deliberately violating the fast. The kaffarah for each deliberately broken fast day consists of three options in order: freeing a believing slave (no longer applicable), fasting for 60 consecutive days (if one breaks the chain, they must restart), or feeding 60 poor people one meal each. Kaffarah is significantly more costly than fidya because it addresses intentional violation rather than inability to fast.
How is the monetary amount for fidya calculated?
The monetary amount for fidya varies by Islamic school of thought and local conditions. The Hanafi school bases it on half a sa' of wheat, which equals approximately 2.176 kilograms per missed day. The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools use one mudd, approximately 0.68 kilograms of the staple food of the region. Many scholars allow paying the equivalent monetary value instead of providing physical food. The monetary equivalent should reflect the cost of providing an average meal to a poor person in your locality. Islamic relief organizations often publish recommended fidya amounts annually, typically ranging from $7 to $15 per day in Western countries. It is recommended to consult with local scholars or mosques for the applicable rate in your area.
Can fidya be paid in advance or all at once?
Scholars differ on the timing of fidya payment. The majority view in the Hanafi school allows paying fidya for the entire month at the beginning of Ramadan or even before it begins, which is practical for elderly individuals who know they cannot fast the entire month. The Shafi'i school generally prefers that fidya be paid day by day as each fast is missed, though paying in advance is permitted by many contemporary scholars. Fidya can be paid to the same poor person for multiple days or distributed among different recipients. Many Muslims choose to pay through established charitable organizations that distribute food on their behalf. It is important to make the intention (niyyah) that the payment is specifically for fidya when giving.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy