Question:
What is the Fidyah (Redemption Charge) of a fast for the person who is seriously sick and unable to fast during and after Ramadhan?
Answer:
الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب
- In general, those who are sick during the month of Ramadhan are permitted not to fast. However, they should make up for the days they did not fast during Ramadhan later in the following months.
- However, a person is permitted to pay Fidyah, instead of making up later, if he/she is one of the following:
- Chronically/terminally ill and, as a result, unable to fast during and after Ramadhan.
- Elderly – who is unable to fast during and after Ramadhan.
- Therefore, if a person is unable to fast during Ramadhan due to temporary sickness, he should make up for the missing days later; paying Fidyah is not sufficient for him to redeem himself from the sins of not fasting.
- Additionally, if a person is unable to fast due to illness during the long days of Ramadhan; however, he is able to fast in short days after Ramadhan; he should make up for the missing fasts in the short days.
- Having paid Fidyah, if a person becomes able to fast later, he must make up for the missing fasts.
Fidyah:
- Fidyah for each fast is half a Saa’ of WHEAT – which is to be given to the poor and needy.
- Half a Saa’ is equivalent to 1.75 kilogram or 2.25 kilogram – according to different opinions – although it is better to be cautious, prudent by measuring it at 2.25 kilogram.
- It is also permissible to give the market value of the wheat (in money or goods) to the poor.
Only Allah the Omniscient Truly Knows
Answered by:
Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham
11th Ramadhan 1441 AH
فتاوى رحيميہ: ج 7، ص 271 (کمپیوٹر ایڈیشن)
احسن الفتاوى: ج 4، ص 442
وقال في مراقي الفلاح: (ويجوز الفطر لشيخ فان وعجوز فانية) سمي فانيا لأنه قرب إلى الفناء، أو فنيت قوته وعجز عن الأداء (وتلزمهما الفدية) وكذا من عجز عن نذرا لا بدلا لغيرهم من ذوي الأعذار (لكل يوم نصف صاع من بر) أو قيمته بشرط دوام عجز الفاني والفانية إلى الموت. (ص 688، دار الكتب العلمية)