Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam and is obligatory for all adult and sane Muslims. It is practiced during Ramadan, one of the holiest months in the Muslim calendar. During Ramadan, believers try to achieve piety by improving their moral standards. The Quran tells the purpose of fasting:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:183)
While fasting is important, it may not always be possible for everyone. Some believers may have medical conditions that forbid them from fasting during Ramadan. Allah (SWT) is the most merciful. The Quran says:
“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:286)
Hence, Muslims who cannot fast during Ramadan can pay Fidya for the number of fasts that they miss. While marking our Ramadan calendar, we should also spend some time understanding the concepts related to fasting. In this article, we will explore the concept of Fidya, its conditions, the eligibility for receiving it, and the recommended Fidya amount for 2025.
What is Fidya, and what is its purpose?
Fidya is an amount a Muslim must pay for not fasting during Ramadan due to a legitimate medical condition. The concept of Fidya is defined in the Quran in the following verses:
“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”(Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:184)
The purpose of Fidya is to give Muslims with eligible health conditions an opportunity to earn the rewards of fasting. Your Fidya Donations can also help deserving people prepare for their fasts during Ramadan.
Eligibility for Fidya?
Since fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, its importance cannot be overlooked. It is mandatory for all Muslims to fast, except for the ones who don’t have the physical ability for it.
“And to fast is better for you if only you knew.” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:184)
It must be remembered that Fidya’s validity only applies to those who suffer from health-related challenges that may last. If someone experiences a temporary medical challenge, they will have to compensate by fasting after Ramadan. If they’d paid the Fidya, they would still have to fast, while their paid Fidya would gain the status of Sadaqah.
Where Fidya Doesn’t Apply?
While Fidya is an exemption for the sick, it must not be treated as an excuse for not fasting. The following categories of people are not eligible for Fidya:
– People who experienced temporary illness and thus missed out on fasting during Ramadan.
– Individuals who accidentally or deliberately broke the fast before Iftar– if the fast is broken deliberately, Kaffarah will have to be paid.
– Individuals experiencing recovery and are expected to be well in the foreseeable future.
Fidya is exclusively for those who lack the physical capacity to fast and won’t recover from their condition. People who miss fasting due to temporary conditions must make up their fasts after Ramadan.
Fidya is an opportunity for people with medical conditions to participate in Ramadan. Allah (SWT) created Fidya to allow such people to remain eligible for the great rewards of fasting during Ramadan. By giving Fidya, they also become a source of assistance for deserving people.
What is the Fidya amount for Ramadan 2025
The recommended Fidya amount for missing one fast is equivalent to feeding a deserving person for a day. Considering that principle, the Fidya for Ramadan 2025 will be approximately PKR 500 for each missed fast. Thus, the Fidya for missing all Ramadan fasts will be around PKR 15,000. The Quran says:
“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,” [Surat Al-‘Insān ,76:8]
The following is the Fidya amount required for Ramadan 2025 in three different currencies.
| PKR | US | UK | |
| Fidya | 500 | $6 | GBP 5 |
Eligibility For Receiving Fidya
We must ensure that people who truly deserve Fidya receive it. The eligibility criteria for Fidya and Zakat are the same. The following categories of people are eligible for receiving Fidya.
- The Poor (Al-Fuqara)
- The Needy (Al-Masakeen)
- Zakat Collecting Individuals or Organizations
- Newly Converted Muslims (Mu’allafah Quloobuhum) …
- Freeing Slaves (Riqab) …
- People in Debt (Al-Gharimeen) …
- For the Cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah) …
- Travelers (Ibn Al-Sabeel)
Mark You Ramadan Calendar: Support Transparent Hands
Transparent Hands organizes free medical camps and offers surgical care to Pakistan’s most deserving patients. The organization believes that everyone has the right to access quality healthcare. You can easily contribute through its unique crowdfunding platform, which ensures that your contributions are securely collected and utilized according to the Sharia principles. By supporting Transparent Hands, you will impact someone’s life while restoring their health and dignity. Together, we can bring hope and healing to many.
Conclusion
Fidya offers an exemption for Muslims who cannot fast during Ramadan due to legitimate medical conditions. It allows them to fulfill their religious obligations meaningfully while supporting those in need. It is essential to fully understand the applicability of Fidya and ensure that it is given to eligible individuals. Fidya promotes participation during Ramadan for everyone and serves as a reminder of the values of compassion and charity. So, mark your Ramadan Calendar to make sure that you give your Fidya in time.
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Explore the concept of Fidya in Islam, its eligibility, and the recommended Fidya amount before marking your Ramadan Calendar.
