How a Muslim Who Cannot Fast Should Feed: Islamic Rulings on Fidyah

AA Tijjani

Fasting in Ramadan is one of the greatest pillars of Islam. However, Allah, in His mercy, does not burden a soul with what it cannot bear. For Muslims who cannot fast permanently due to old age, chronic illness, or similar conditions, Islam provides an alternative act of worship known as Fidyah — feeding the poor.

In this detailed article, we explain who should pay fidyah, how to pay it, and what Islamic scholars say regarding this obligation.

✔ What Does the Qur’an Say About Fidyah?

The obligation of fidyah comes directly from the Qur’an. Allah (SWT) says:

“And upon those who are able to fast but with hardship, they may feed a poor person (for every day).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

This verse, as explained by classical scholars, refers to those who cannot fast due to permanent difficulty, not temporary sickness.

Ibn Abbas (RA), one of the greatest scholars among the companions, said regarding this verse:

“This refers to the elderly man and elderly woman who are not able to fast. They should feed one poor person for every day.”
(Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim)

✔ Who Must Pay Fidyah?

Fidyah applies only to people who cannot fast permanently. According to the majority of scholars — including the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools — fidyah is required from:

1. The Elderly Who Cannot Fast

An aged person whose health cannot endure fasting.

As Ibn Qudamah (RA) wrote:

“If an elderly person cannot fast and fasting causes hardship, then he may break the fast and feed a poor person for each day.”
(Al-Mughni, 3/148)

2. The Chronically Ill

Those with an illness with no hope of recovery.

3. Those Who Will Be Harmed Permanently

For example, someone whose medical condition will worsen irreversibly by fasting.

4. Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women (Certain Cases)

If fasting permanently harms them or the child, and they cannot make up the fasts later, they may pay fidyah.

Ibn Abbas (RA) also said:

“If the pregnant or breastfeeding woman fears for herself or her child, she may break the fast and feed a poor person for every day.”
(Abu Dawud)

✔ Who Does NOT Pay Fidyah?

Those who have temporary excuses, such as:

  • Fever
  • Flu
  • Short-term illness
  • Travel
  • Postpartum bleeding
  • Temporary pregnancy weakness (if they can make up later)

They must make up the fasts later, not pay fidyah.

This is based on Allah’s verse:

“Whoever is ill or on a journey should make up the same number of days later.”
(Qur’an 2:185)

✔ How Is Fidyah Calculated?

A Muslim who cannot fast permanently must feed one poor person for every missed day.

There are two accepted methods:

1. Feeding One Poor Person With One Full Meal

This can be:

  • Cooked food
  • Raw food given to the needy

2. Giving the Equivalent Value in Money

Scholars permit giving the cash value of a meal if it benefits the poor more.

Shaykh Ibn Baz (RA) said:

“The fidyah is feeding one poor person for each day, either by giving him half sa‘a of food or giving the value in money.”

✔ What Amount of Food Must Be Given?

Most scholars say it is:

  • Half a saa’ (~1.5 kg) of staple food for each day

This may include:

  • Rice
  • Maize
  • Wheat
  • Millet
  • Gari
  • Beans

Alternatively, one may simply give the cost of a modest meal per day.

✔ Practical Examples

Example 1:

A 75-year-old man missed 30 days of Ramadan:

  • He should feed 30 poor persons
    OR
  • Give the food equivalent
    OR
  • Give the money equivalent of 30 meals

Example 2:

A woman with chronic kidney disease cannot fast at all:

  • She pays fidyah for all missed days
  • She is not required to make up the fasts

✔ How Should Fidyah Be Given?

You may:

  • Cook food and distribute it
  • Give raw food to a needy family
  • Give cash to trusted Islamic charities
  • Give everything at once or split across days

Either method is valid.

✔ Can a Person Later Make Up the Fasts Instead?

If someone recovers after paying fidyah, they must make up the fasts, and their previous fidyah becomes a charity, not a replacement for fasting.

Imam An-Nawawi (RA) stated:

“If one’s excuse ends, he must make up the days, and what he gave as fidyah does not replace the obligatory fast.”
(Al-Majmu’)

Conclusion

Islam provides mercy, compassion, and flexibility. For those who cannot fast permanently, fidyah is a beautiful alternative — feeding the poor while fulfilling Allah’s command.

It allows the elderly and chronically ill to remain connected to the spiritual blessings of Ramadan without hardship.

As Allah says:

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(Qur’an 2:185)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BREAKING: FG Approves 40% Pay Rise —Non-Academic Staff Left Out

Image
Nigeria’s university system has been thrown into fresh debate following confirmation that the Federal Government’s newly approved 40% salary increase applies strictly to lecturers, leaving non-academic university workers completely excluded from the landmark deal. The historic agreement, signed between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), ends a 16-year renegotiation stalemate and delivers a major financial boost to academic staff alone — professors, readers, senior lecturers, and other teaching personnel in federal universities. ZANCEN YAU 247 has gathered that , according  to official details of the agreement, the 40% increment is tied to the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONUASS) and enhanced academic-specific allowances, particularly the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) meant for research, publications, conferences, and teaching support.     ZANCEN YAU 247    has l...
Read more

Nigeria’s Ivory Towers in Ruins: An Investigative Look at the Dilapidated State of Nigerian Universities

Image
Across the country, Nigeria’s public universities — once proud centres of academic excellence — now tell a story of chronic neglect, crumbling infrastructure, and systemic failure.  Despite repeated government promises, reforms, and intervention funds, the reality on the ground remains stark: lecture halls are dilapidated, hostels overcrowded or unsafe, laboratories obsolete, and academic activity repeatedly disrupted by strikes and funding shortfalls. A Legacy Fading: What We Saw in the Country’s Premier Institutions At the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria’s oldest university and once a symbol of academic strength, the decay is unmistakable. Cracked walls, leaking roofs, and peeling paint scar once-majestic buildings, even iconic landmarks such as Trenchard Hall. Frequent power outages force reliance on noisy, polluting generators. Road networks within the campus are potholed, and water scarcity undermines hygiene.  “We are trying to provide a world-class educat...
Read more

BREAKING: US Finally Withdraws from WHO

Image
The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that strips the UN health agency of one of its largest financial contributors and marks a major shift in global health diplomacy. The withdrawal follows an executive order signed a year ago by US President Donald Trump, who repeatedly accused the WHO of being overly “China-centric” in its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The decision  ZANCEN YAU24  understood has now taken full effect, confirming the US exit from the global health body. In a statement, the US Department of Health and Human Services said the withdrawal was based on what it described as the WHO’s “mishandling” of the Covid-19 crisis, its failure to implement meaningful reforms, and what it called undue political influence from member states. ZANCEN YAU24 learned that the the World Health Organization has strongly rejected the allegations. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the US dec...
Read more