3 Shar‘i Rulings on Fidyah and Charity for Fasting ❖ Question:
- What amount should be given as fidyah (compensation) for a missed fast?
- Is it necessary to give the fidyah in the country where one currently resides, or can it be sent to one’s home country?
- Can charity be given repeatedly to the same widow who is a relative?
❖ Answer by: Fadhilat al-Bahith: Nu‘man Khaliq (حفظه الله)
➊ Amount of Fidyah for a Missed Fast
According to the Fatwa of Ahl al-Hadith scholars:
❝One should prefer for his brother what he prefers for himself.
Hence, the amount of fidyah should be equivalent to what a person would reasonably spend on suhoor and iftar for a single day.❞
✔ The fidyah amount should be based on personal living standards, enough to cover basic suhoor and iftar expenses for one fast.
✔ You may estimate it according to your daily food consumption cost.
➋ Where Should Fidyah Be Given? Home Country or Current Residence?
❝It is preferable to give it to needy individuals around you (locally).
However, if someone wishes to send it to another country, such as their homeland, there is no Shar‘i prohibition in doing so.❞
✔ Priority: Local needy and deserving individuals
✔ Permissible: Sending to another place—including one’s native region—if deemed necessary
➌ Giving Charity Repeatedly to the Same Widow Relative
As per guidance from the Qur’an and general Shar‘i principles:
“Allah mentioned the term ‘miskīn’ in the Qur’an.”
This implies that a person who is genuinely poor or in need may receive repeated charity.
✔ If the widow is truly needy, giving charity or zakat to her multiple times is permissible
✔ The intention must remain sincere, and the recipient should indeed be eligible (miskīn)
Conclusion:
◈ Fidyah Amount: Estimate based on one day’s suhoor and iftar in your lifestyle
◈ Preferred Location: Give fidyah locally, but giving it elsewhere is allowed
◈ Charity to One Widow: Repeated charity to a deserving widow relative is valid if she remains eligible
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
