How to Pay Fidyah Online from the UK: Complete Guide
If you are unable to fast during Ramadan because of a long-term illness, old age, or another valid reason that means you cannot make up the missed fasts later, you may need to pay Fidyah.
For Muslims living in the UK, paying Fidyah online can be a simple and convenient way to fulfil this obligation and help provide food for people in need. But before making an online payment, it is important to understand who needs to pay Fidyah, how much to pay, how to calculate it, when to pay it, and how to choose a trustworthy organisation.
In this guide, we explain how to pay Fidyah online from the UK step by step, including the current 2026 UK Fidyah rate and important safety checks for online donations.
What Is Fidyah?
Fidyah is a form of compensation connected with missed Ramadan fasts when a person is permanently unable to make those fasts up.
The Qur’an discusses feeding a needy person in relation to those who are unable to fast. Qur’an 2:184 is the main Qur’anic basis commonly discussed regarding Fidyah.
The important point is that Fidyah is not automatically required whenever someone misses a Ramadan fast.
If a person is temporarily ill, travelling, menstruating, or experiencing another temporary situation and can make up the missed fasts later, they would generally make up those fasts instead.
Fidyah becomes relevant when the person cannot reasonably make up the missed fasts later, such as in cases of permanent inability caused by old age or a chronic illness that is not expected to improve.
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| How to Pay Fidyah Online from the UK |
Who Needs to Pay Fidyah?
The exact ruling can differ between Islamic schools of jurisprudence, but under the Hanafi guidance commonly followed by many UK Muslims, Fidyah applies when all three conditions are present:
The person is unable to fast.
The person cannot make up the missed fasts at another time.
The person is not expected to regain the ability to fast.
Islamic Relief UK's scholar-reviewed 2026 guidance explains this distinction and gives examples of situations that do not qualify for Fidyah under the Hanafi approach, such as temporary illness or surgery when the person is expected to recover.
Because rulings can differ, anyone who is unsure should ask a qualified Islamic scholar about their individual circumstances.
Can You Pay Fidyah Online from the UK?
Yes. Muslims in the UK can use online donation platforms operated by established charities to pay Fidyah.
Online Fidyah payments can be particularly convenient because you can:
Calculate the number of missed fasts
Check the charity's current Fidyah rate
Make a payment by an available online method
Select Fidyah as the donation type
Receive confirmation of your donation
Complete the payment without visiting a charity office
Some charities also provide online Fidyah calculators, allowing donors to enter the number of missed fasts and calculate the total.
For example, Muslim Hands currently provides options for paying Fidyah for individual missed days or for the whole month.
How Much Is Fidyah in the UK in 2026?
For 2026, Islamic Relief UK currently lists £5 for each missed fast. It states that this amount is intended to provide one person with two meals or two people with one meal.
Using £5 as the calculation:
| Missed Fast | Fidyah Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 day | £5 |
| 5 days | £25 |
| 10 days | £50 |
| 15 days | £75 |
| 20 days | £100 |
| 25 days | £125 |
| 30 days | £150 |
Therefore, if a person is permanently unable to fast for the entire 30-day Ramadan, the calculation at £5 per day would be:
30 × £5 = £150
However, the £5 amount should not be treated as a universal permanent rate. Fidyah calculations can differ according to scholarly opinion and local circumstances, so it is sensible to check the current rate with your chosen charity or a qualified scholar.
How to Pay Fidyah Online from the UK: Step by Step
Step 1: Work Out How Many Fast Days Apply
First, determine the number of Ramadan fasts for which Fidyah is actually due.
For example, if someone was permanently unable to fast for 12 days, they would calculate Fidyah for 12 days.
Do not count days for which you are required to make Qada instead.
Step 2: Confirm That Fidyah Is the Correct Ruling
This is one of the most important steps.
If you have a temporary illness and expect to recover, you may need to make up the fasts rather than pay Fidyah.
Likewise, situations involving pregnancy, breastfeeding, chronic medication, travel, and delayed Qada can have different scholarly rulings.
If you are uncertain, ask a qualified scholar before making the payment.
Step 3: Check the Current Fidyah Rate
Look at the charity's current Fidyah page rather than relying on an old article or social-media post.
For example, Islamic Relief UK currently lists £5 per missed fast for 2026.
Step 4: Choose a Trusted Charity
When paying Fidyah online, choose an organisation that clearly explains:
What Fidyah is
Its current Fidyah rate
How Fidyah donations are used
Who receives the assistance
How donations are collected
How the organisation operates
For UK charities, you can also check the organisation through the official Charity Commission register where applicable. The GOV.UK register provides information such as a charity's registration details, trustees, aims and financial information.
Step 5: Go Directly to the Charity's Website
Avoid making payments through random links received by email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram or other social-media messages.
Instead, find the charity's official website yourself and navigate to its Fidyah donation page.
The Charity Commission advises donors to be cautious with unsolicited messages and recommends going directly to a charity's website rather than clicking unexpected donation links.
Step 6: Select Fidyah
On the donation page, look for an option such as:
Fidyah, Fidya, or Fidyah for missed fasts.
Make sure you have selected Fidyah rather than another Islamic giving category such as Zakat, Sadaqah, Kaffarah or Zakat al-Fitr.
These are separate forms of Islamic giving and should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
Step 7: Enter the Number of Missed Fasts
If the website provides a calculator, enter the number of days for which Fidyah is due.
For example:
10 missed fasts × £5 = £50
Check the total carefully before submitting the payment.
Step 8: Complete the Online Payment
Follow the charity's secure payment process.
Depending on the organisation, payment methods may include card payment or other electronic payment methods.
Do not share your banking password, PIN, one-time security code or other private banking credentials with anyone claiming to collect Fidyah.
Step 9: Save Your Confirmation
After completing the payment, save the confirmation email or receipt.
It is useful to keep a record of:
Date of payment
Amount paid
Number of fasts covered
Charity or organisation
Donation reference number
This can help you keep accurate personal records.
Where Does Online Fidyah Money Go?
Fidyah is intended to help provide food for people in need.
Charities may use Fidyah contributions in food programmes, such as providing food parcels or meals to vulnerable families.
For example, Islamic Relief UK says its Fidyah donations are used to feed people in need, including through food parcels containing staple items such as flour, oil and dates.
Muslim Hands similarly states that its Fidyah donations support feeding programmes, including food parcels and meals for vulnerable communities.
Before donating, however, read the specific charity's current explanation of how it handles Fidyah.
Can Fidyah Be Paid Directly to Someone in Need?
Fidyah is intended for people who are eligible to receive it, particularly poor and needy people.
Some Muslims prefer to give food directly to someone in need, while others use an organisation to distribute it on their behalf.
If you are considering giving Fidyah directly, but are unsure whether someone qualifies to receive it, consult a qualified scholar.
An established charity can also be useful where you want the distribution to be handled systematically.
When Should You Pay Fidyah?
The timing of Fidyah is another area where scholars have different views.
Islamic Relief UK's current scholar-reviewed guidance notes that some scholars allow Fidyah to be paid daily after the relevant fast, or collectively at the end of Ramadan, while the Hanafi position described on its page permits payment at the beginning of Ramadan or its conclusion, but not before Ramadan begins.
Because there are differences of opinion, it is better to follow the guidance of a qualified scholar or the Islamic school you normally follow.
Fidyah vs Qada: Don't Confuse Them
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that Fidyah can replace every missed Ramadan fast.
Qada
Qada means making up a missed fast later.
For example:
Temporary illness → missed 5 fasts → recover → fast those 5 days later.
Fidyah
Fidyah may apply when a person is permanently unable to make up the missed fasts.
For example:
Permanent inability to fast → unable to make up the fasts → Fidyah may be required.
Therefore, before paying online, make sure you know whether your situation requires Qada or Fidyah.
Fidyah vs Kaffarah
Fidyah and Kaffarah are also different.
Fidyah is generally connected with someone who has a valid reason for being unable to fast and cannot make up the missed fasts.
Kaffarah is a separate expiation associated with certain violations of fasting rules.
You should therefore not select Kaffarah simply because you see it next to Fidyah on a charity's website.
If you believe you may owe Kaffarah, ask a qualified scholar about the circumstances before making a payment.
How to Choose a Safe Fidyah Donation Website in the UK
Online giving is convenient, but donors should still take basic precautions.
The UK Charity Commission has repeatedly warned that fake charity websites, fraudulent appeals and impersonation can occur during periods of increased charitable giving such as Ramadan. Its 2026 guidance recommends checking registration, researching the charity and avoiding unexpected donation links.
Before paying Fidyah online:
Check the charity.
Search its name and registration details through the appropriate UK charity register. The GOV.UK service explains that England and Wales have the Charity Commission register, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.
Check the website.
Make sure you are on the organisation's genuine website.
Check the Fidyah information.
The charity should clearly identify the donation as Fidyah and explain how it is used.
Avoid pressure.
Be cautious if someone demands an immediate payment through a message or suspicious link.
Research the organisation.
Look at its stated aims, activities and financial information where available.
These simple steps can reduce the risk of your donation going somewhere other than the intended cause.
Can You Pay Fidyah Online for the Whole Month?
Yes, if Fidyah applies to all of the Ramadan fasts you missed.
For example, using the current £5 rate:
30 missed fasts × £5 = £150
Some charities provide a specific option for paying Fidyah for the entire month. Muslim Hands, for example, currently provides an option to pay Fidyah for the full month as well as individual days.
However, only pay for days for which Fidyah is actually due.
What If You Pay Fidyah and Later Recover?
This situation can be important.
Islamic Relief UK's Hanafi guidance explains that if someone pays Fidyah because they believe they will never regain the ability to make up the missed fasts, but later recovers and becomes able to fast, the payment is treated as charity and the missed fasts must then be made up.
This is another reason why people with temporary or uncertain medical conditions should seek individual Islamic guidance.
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| How to Pay Fidyah Online from the UK |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Fidyah per fast in the UK in 2026?
Islamic Relief UK currently lists £5 per missed fast for 2026. Other organisations or scholars may use a different calculation, so check the current rate being followed.
Can I pay Fidyah online from the UK?
Yes. UK Muslims can pay Fidyah online through established charitable organisations that provide Fidyah donation services.
Can I pay Fidyah for 30 days online?
Yes, where Fidyah is applicable to all 30 days. At £5 per day, the current 2026 calculation would be £150.
Can I pay Fidyah if I am temporarily ill?
Generally, temporary illness does not automatically make Fidyah applicable. If you recover and can make up the fasts, Qada may be required instead.
Can I pay Fidyah through a charity?
Yes. A charity can collect Fidyah and distribute food or assistance to eligible people according to its programme.
Is Fidyah the same as Sadaqah?
No. Fidyah is connected with a specific Islamic obligation relating to missed fasting, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity.
Is Fidyah the same as Kaffarah?
No. They are separate Islamic rulings and should not be treated as the same payment.
Final Thoughts
Paying Fidyah online from the UK can be straightforward when you understand the ruling and use a trustworthy donation service.
Start by determining whether Fidyah actually applies to your situation. If you are temporarily unable to fast but expect to recover, you may need to make up the missed fasts instead. If you are permanently unable to fast and cannot make up the missed days, Fidyah may be required.
For 2026, a commonly published UK rate is £5 per missed fast, meaning 10 missed fasts would equal £50 and 30 missed fasts would equal £150 at that rate.
Before paying online, check the current Fidyah rate, choose a reputable organisation, verify the charity where appropriate, visit its official website directly, select Fidyah correctly, and keep your payment confirmation.
Most importantly, if your circumstances involve chronic illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, old age, delayed fasts or uncertainty about Qada and Fidyah, speak with a qualified Islamic scholar so that your payment follows the ruling applicable to your situation.
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