Fidyah in the UK: Who Pays It and How Does It Work?

Fidyah is an important Islamic ruling related to missed Ramadan fasts. Many Muslims in the UK have questions about who has to pay Fidyah, how much Fidyah costs, when it should be paid, and whether everyone who misses a fast has to pay it.

The short answer is that Fidyah is generally connected with a person who is permanently unable to fast and cannot reasonably make up the missed fasts later. Someone with a temporary illness or another temporary excuse will normally make up the missed fasts when able instead of paying Fidyah.

The Qur’an mentions feeding a needy person in connection with those who are unable to fast, and Islamic scholars have explained the circumstances in which Fidyah applies.

This guide explains Fidyah in the UK in simple terms, including the current 2026 UK amount and the difference between Fidyah and making up missed fasts.

What Is Fidyah in Islam?

Fidyah is a form of compensation involving the feeding of a needy person for a missed Ramadan fast when a person has a valid reason and is permanently unable to make up that fast.

The basis for Fidyah is found in Qur’an 2:184, which refers to feeding a needy person in connection with those who cannot fast.

Fidyah is therefore not simply a general donation or optional charity. For someone who is required to pay it, it is connected to a religious obligation relating to fasting.

A useful way to understand it is:

Temporary inability to fast → make up the fast later when able.

Permanent inability to fast → Fidyah may be due instead.

The exact ruling can depend on the circumstances and the Islamic school of jurisprudence being followed.

 

Fidyah in the UK

Who Has to Pay Fidyah?

A person may need to pay Fidyah when they cannot fast during Ramadan and have no reasonable expectation of being able to make up the missed fasts later.

Common examples can include:

• An elderly person who is permanently unable to fast

• Someone with a long-term illness that is not expected to improve

• A person whose medical condition makes fasting unsafe on a continuing basis

• Someone who has been advised by a qualified medical professional that fasting would be harmful and whose condition is not expected to improve

Islamic Relief UK’s scholar-reviewed guidance explains that, under the Hanafi approach, all three conditions are important: the person cannot fast, cannot make up the fasts later, and is not expected to regain the ability to make them up.

This distinction is particularly important because not everyone who misses Ramadan fasts should immediately pay Fidyah.

Who Does Not Normally Pay Fidyah?

If a person is temporarily unable to fast but expects to recover and fast later, the normal solution is to make up the missed fasts (Qada).

For example, suppose someone becomes ill during Ramadan and misses five fasts. If they recover after Ramadan and are able to fast later, they would generally make up those five days rather than replacing them with Fidyah.

Similarly, travelling can provide a valid concession from fasting, but the missed days are generally made up later when the person is able. Islamic Relief UK explains that temporary situations such as illness or travel do not automatically mean Fidyah is required.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also involve different scholarly rulings depending on the circumstances and madhhab. Therefore, someone in this situation should ask a qualified scholar rather than assuming that Fidyah automatically replaces missed fasts.

Fidyah for Chronic Illness

One of the most common reasons people ask about Fidyah in the UK is chronic illness.

If fasting could seriously harm a person's health, they should not make an Islamic decision based only on financial convenience. Medical advice can be important when determining whether fasting is safe.

Islamic Relief UK advises people with ongoing health conditions to consult their doctor about the medical risks of fasting and a local Islamic scholar about the religious ruling. When a condition is long-term with no foreseeable improvement, Fidyah may be appropriate instead of fasting.

For example, someone taking essential medication throughout the day may be unable to fast safely. However, whether that person should pay Fidyah or make up the fasts later depends on whether the inability is temporary or permanent.

How Much Is Fidyah in the UK?

For 2026, Islamic Relief UK currently lists £5 for each missed fast as its Fidyah amount. It explains that this amount is intended to provide food equivalent to approximately one needy person's daily food requirement under its calculation.

Here is a simple calculation:

Missed Fast Days	Fidyah at £5 Per Day
1 day	£5
5 days	£25
10 days	£50
15 days	£75
20 days	£100
30 days	£150

So, if someone is permanently unable to fast for all 30 days of Ramadan, using the current £5 UK figure, the total would be £150.

However, Fidyah amounts are not universally identical. Islamic Relief UK notes that there is scholarly difference regarding the precise amount and recommends consulting a local scholar if someone is uncertain.

Why Does the Fidyah Amount Vary?

Fidyah is fundamentally connected to feeding a needy person, rather than simply being a fixed universal cash payment.

Different scholars and organisations can calculate the monetary equivalent differently based on the quantity and type of staple food used for the calculation, as well as local food prices and the jurisprudential method being followed.

For this reason, you may see different Fidyah amounts from different UK organisations.

If your local mosque, scholar or trusted Islamic charity gives a specific Fidyah rate for the current Ramadan, it is sensible to check what calculation they are using.

The £5 figure is a current 2026 UK example, not a permanent amount that will necessarily remain the same every year.

How Does Fidyah Work?

The basic process is straightforward.

Step 1: Determine How Many Fast Days Were Missed

First, calculate the number of Ramadan fasts that cannot be made up.

For example, if someone is permanently unable to fast and missed 12 days, they would calculate Fidyah for 12 days.

Step 2: Confirm That Fidyah Actually Applies

This is one of the most important steps.

Ask whether the person is genuinely unable to fast permanently or whether they may be able to make up the fasts later.

If the person is expected to recover, Fidyah may not replace Qada.

Step 3: Check the Current UK Fidyah Rate

For 2026, one widely used UK figure is £5 per missed fast.

Step 4: Give the Fidyah to Eligible People

Fidyah is intended to provide food for people in need. Islamic Relief UK explains that Fidyah is given to poor and needy people rather than simply being treated as unrestricted charitable giving.

A trusted organisation may distribute the funds or food on behalf of the person paying Fidyah.

Can You Pay Fidyah Online in the UK?

Yes. Many UK-based Islamic charities provide online Fidyah donation options.

Online payment can make the process convenient, especially for people who want their Fidyah to be distributed to people experiencing poverty or food insecurity.

Before paying online, however, check:

• Whether the organisation clearly identifies its Fidyah programme

• The current Fidyah rate

• How the organisation distributes the money or food

• Whether the donation is specifically recorded as Fidyah

• Whether the organisation provides information about its charitable work

You should also keep a record of how many missed fasts you are paying for and the amount paid.

When Should Fidyah Be Paid?

The timing of Fidyah has some scholarly differences.

Islamic Relief UK notes that scholars differ regarding when Fidyah can be paid. One view allows payment after the relevant fast is missed, while Hanafi guidance mentioned by the organisation allows payment at the beginning of Ramadan, but not before Ramadan begins, or at its conclusion.

Because there are differences of opinion, someone following a particular madhhab should check with a qualified local scholar about the appropriate timing.

If you already know that you will be permanently unable to fast, it is useful to clarify the ruling before Ramadan rather than waiting until the end.

Fidyah vs Qada: What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most important distinctions.

Qada means making up a missed fast by fasting on another day.

Fidyah means providing food or its accepted monetary equivalent for a needy person when a person is permanently unable to make up the fast.

For example:

Temporary illness:
Missed 7 fasts → recover later → make up 7 fasts.

Permanent inability:
Unable to fast and unable to make up the fasts later → Fidyah may be required.

This is why people should not automatically pay Fidyah simply because they missed a few Ramadan fasts.

Fidyah vs Kaffarah

Fidyah and Kaffarah are also different.

Fidyah is generally associated with a valid reason that permanently prevents a person from fasting.

Kaffarah is a separate form of expiation associated with certain violations of the fasting rules.

Therefore, a person should not assume that Fidyah and Kaffarah are interchangeable.

The amount and circumstances of Kaffarah can also be substantially different from Fidyah, so a person who believes they may owe Kaffarah should ask a qualified scholar for guidance. Islamic Relief UK specifically distinguishes its Fidyah guidance from Kaffarah.

Can Fidyah Be Paid for Someone Else?

Families sometimes pay Fidyah on behalf of an elderly parent or deceased relative.

This can become complicated because the ruling may depend on whether the person was permanently unable to fast, whether they had outstanding fasts that could have been made up, and which school of Islamic jurisprudence is being followed.

There are also authentic hadith concerning making up certain missed fasts for deceased relatives. For example, Sahih Muslim records reports in which the Prophet ﷺ instructed relatives to fast on behalf of a deceased person who had outstanding fasts.

However, the detailed rulings concerning deceased people's Ramadan fasts and Fidyah differ among scholars. If you are dealing with a deceased parent or relative, it is better to give the scholar the exact circumstances before deciding whether to pay Fidyah, make Qada, or take another action.

Who Can Receive Fidyah?

Fidyah is intended for people who are genuinely in need.

It should therefore not simply be treated as ordinary voluntary Sadaqah where the recipient can be anyone.

A reliable Islamic charity may use Fidyah donations to provide food to poor and vulnerable families. Islamic Relief UK, for example, says its Fidyah donations are used to feed people in need.

If you want to give Fidyah directly to an individual, ask a qualified scholar if you are uncertain about whether that person meets the relevant criteria.

 

Fidyah in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions About Fidyah in the UK

How much is Fidyah in the UK in 2026?

Islamic Relief UK currently lists £5 per missed fast for 2026. Rates can differ according to scholarly calculation, so check the rate used by your trusted mosque, scholar or charity.

Do I pay Fidyah if I am temporarily sick?

Usually, if you are expected to recover and can fast later, you make up the missed fasts rather than paying Fidyah.

Does an elderly person have to pay Fidyah?

If an elderly person is permanently unable to fast and cannot reasonably make up the fasts later, Fidyah may be required. The exact ruling should be confirmed according to the person's circumstances and madhhab.

Can I pay Fidyah online?

Yes. UK Islamic charities commonly provide online Fidyah payment services. Make sure you select Fidyah specifically and understand how the organisation distributes it.

Is Fidyah the same as Kaffarah?

No. Fidyah and Kaffarah are separate rulings with different circumstances and requirements.

Can Fidyah be paid for a deceased parent?

This is a matter where detailed scholarly differences exist. Authentic hadith establish that certain outstanding fasts of a deceased person can be addressed by relatives, but the exact application depends on the circumstances. Consult a qualified scholar before making a decision.

Final Thoughts

Understanding Fidyah in the UK is important because paying Fidyah is not simply a substitute that every person can choose whenever they miss a Ramadan fast.

The key distinction is whether the inability to fast is temporary or permanent. If someone is expected to recover, they will generally make up their missed fasts later. If someone is permanently unable to fast because of old age or a long-term condition, Fidyah may be required.

For 2026, £5 per missed fast is a commonly published UK Fidyah rate, but Muslims should remember that scholarly opinions and calculation methods can differ.

If your situation involves chronic illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, old age, deceased relatives, or a large number of missed fasts, getting individual advice from a qualified Islamic scholar is the safest approach.

The purpose of Fidyah is ultimately connected with fulfilling an Islamic obligation while providing food for people in need. By understanding the ruling correctly, Muslims can avoid both underpaying and paying Fidyah when Qada is actually required.