For 2026, Your Impact Foundation uses £5 per missed fast for Fidya and £300 per deliberately broken Ramadan fast when Kaffarah is due and the feeding option applies.
But Fidya and Kaffarah are not interchangeable.
Fidya is generally associated with someone who cannot fast and is not expected to make up the missed fasts because of a continuing valid reason, such as permanent illness or old age.
Kaffarah is an expiation that can become necessary when a Ramadan fast is deliberately broken without a valid excuse. The established hadith describes freeing a slave, then fasting two consecutive months if unable, and then feeding 60 poor people if unable to fast.
The exact rules can vary between schools of Islamic jurisprudence and individual circumstances. Someone who is unsure whether they owe Fidya, Qada, or Kaffarah should consult a qualified scholar.
This guide explains the Fidya amount 2026, how Kaffarah is calculated, who should pay each one, worked examples, and how to fulfil the payment online.
Quick Answer: Fidya vs Kaffarah
| Points | Fidya | Kaffarah |
|---|---|---|
| Basic purpose | Compensation for a missed fast when Qada is not expected because of a continuing valid reason | Expiation for certain deliberate violations, including deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast |
| Typical situation | Permanent illness or inability due to old age | Deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast without a valid excuse |
| Amount used by Your Impact Foundation | £5 per missed fast | £300 per applicable broken fast |
| Feeding basis | One day’s prescribed food amount | Feeding 60 poor people where the feeding option applies |
| Can you make up the fast instead? | Depends on the reason and whether recovery is possible | The established hadith gives a sequence of expiation options |
| Payment type | Food/feeding-based compensation | Expiation, which can involve fasting or feeding |
Important: These amounts are charity-specific 2026 rates based on their stated calculation. UK organisations do not all publish the same Fidya rate. For example, Islamic Relief currently publishes £5 per missed fast, while Sunnah Charity lists £2.50 and the Islamic Centre of England lists £2 for its 2026 methodology.
What Is Fidya?
Fidya is a compensation payment connected with missing a required fast when a person has a valid reason and is not expected to make up the fast later.
The Qur’an discusses fasting exemptions and compensation in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184–185. It states that a person who is ill or travelling can make up the missed days later, while the verse also mentions feeding a needy person as compensation in the relevant circumstance.
The important point is that not every missed fast automatically requires Fidya.
For example, someone who is temporarily ill and expects to recover may generally make up the missed fasts later rather than immediately paying Fidya.
Someone with a permanent condition who cannot reasonably fast or make up the days may fall under the Fidya ruling.
Because circumstances differ, the safest approach is to establish whether your situation requires:
- Qada, meaning making up the missed fast
- Fidya
- Kaffarah
- Or a combination of obligations
Fidya Amount 2026: How Much Is Fidya in the UK?
Your Impact Foundation’s 2026 Fidya rate is £5 for each missed fast.
That means:
| Missed fasts | Fidya at £5 per day |
|---|---|
| 1 day | £5 |
| 5 days | £25 |
| 10 days | £50 |
| 15 days | £75 |
| 20 days | £100 |
| 25 days | £125 |
| 30 days | £150 |
How much is Fidya per day?
At the Your Impact Foundation’s published 2026 rate:
1 missed fast = £5 Fidya
So the basic calculation is:
Number of eligible missed fasts × £5 = Fidya due
For example:
12 eligible missed fasts × £5 = £60 Fidya
Why do UK Fidya rates differ?
There is no single UK-wide statutory Fidya price.
The underlying Islamic calculation is connected to feeding a needy person using the prescribed quantity/type of staple food or its monetary equivalent. Different scholars and organisations may calculate the monetary value differently.
For example:
- Islamic Relief UK currently publishes £5 per missed fast.
- Sunnah Charity currently publishes £2.50 per missed fast.
- The Islamic Centre of England publishes £2 per day for 2026 under its stated methodology.
Therefore, if you follow a particular madhhab, scholar, mosque or charity’s methodology, use the rate they advise.
For donors paying through Your Impact Foundation, use its current published rate rather than combining rates from different organisations.
Who Should Pay Fidya?
Fidya generally applies when someone has a valid reason for being unable to fast and cannot reasonably make up the missed fasts later.
Examples can include:
- Permanent or chronic illness
- Advanced old age
- A medical condition that makes fasting unsafe or impossible
- Other long-term circumstances recognised by Islamic jurisprudence
The Qur’an establishes concessions for illness and travel, including making up missed days later.
This creates an important distinction:
Temporary illness
If you miss Ramadan fasts because of temporary illness and later recover sufficiently to fast, Qada may be required rather than Fidya.
Permanent illness
If your condition is ongoing and you are not expected to be able to make up the fasts, Fidya may apply.
Old age
A person who is permanently unable to fast because of advanced age may be required to feed a needy person for each missed day, according to the relevant scholarly ruling. Ibn Abbas’s interpretation of Qur’an 2:184 is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari.
Do You Pay Fidya for Pregnancy?
This question requires more care than a simple yes or no.
Pregnancy does not automatically mean that Fidya is always required.
A pregnant woman who does not fast may have different obligations depending on why she missed the fasts, whether she can make them up later, and which school of Islamic jurisprudence she follows.
Some scholars require Qada only in certain circumstances, while other views may involve Fidya as well.
The same applies to breastfeeding.
Therefore, someone asking “Do I pay Fidya for pregnancy?” should not rely on a generic calculator alone.
Ask a qualified scholar who understands the relevant madhhab and your specific circumstances.
Do You Pay Fidya for Your Period?
A menstruating woman does not fast during menstruation, but the missed Ramadan fasts are generally made up later.
A period is therefore not normally treated as a reason to simply replace the missed Ramadan fasts with Fidya.
The usual obligation is to complete the missed fasts after Ramadan when able.
This is different from a person who permanently cannot fast.
If you have another medical condition alongside menstruation or cannot make up the missed days, seek individual scholarly guidance.
Can Fidya Be Paid After Ramadan?
Yes, Fidya can generally be paid after Ramadan when it is actually due, although the precise timing can vary according to scholarly opinion.
Some scholars allow Fidya to be paid after the missed day, while views differ regarding payment before Ramadan or in advance.
Islamic Relief’s current guidance notes differences among schools about the timing and states that payment may be made in one payment at the end of Ramadan under the relevant views.
If you already know that you owe Fidya, paying promptly through a reliable charity can help ensure the obligation is not forgotten.
What Is Kaffarah?
Kaffarah is an expiation that applies to certain violations of Islamic obligations. In the Ramadan fasting context, it can be required when a person deliberately breaks a fast without a valid excuse.
The strongest primary evidence comes from the well-known hadith of Abu Hurairah.
A man told the Prophet ﷺ that he had violated his Ramadan fast through intercourse. The Prophet ﷺ gave him a sequence:
- Free a slave.
- If unable, fast two consecutive months.
- If unable, feed 60 poor people.
The report is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari.
The historical first option of freeing a slave is not applicable in the modern context, so contemporary rulings focus on the remaining options according to the relevant jurisprudence.
This is why Kaffarah is not simply another name for Fidya.
How Much Is Kaffarah for Breaking a Fast in 2026?
Your Impact Foundation’s 2026 calculation is £300 for one applicable deliberately broken Ramadan fast when the feeding option is required.
The calculation is:
60 people × £5 = £300
| Deliberately broken fasts | Kaffarah at £300 each |
|---|---|
| 1 | £300 |
| 2 | £600 |
| 3 | £900 |
| 4 | £1,200 |
| 5 | £1,500 |
Islamic Relief UK also currently uses £300 per deliberately broken Ramadan fast, based on feeding 60 people at £5 each.
However, don’t treat £300 as a universal religious price.
The £300 figure is the monetary equivalent of the feeding option using the £5 rate. If the applicable feeding value changes, the monetary amount can change.
When Is Kaffarah Necessary?
This is one of the most important questions in the entire topic.
Kaffarah is not automatically due every time someone misses a Ramadan fast.
A person may miss a fast because of:
- Illness
- Travel
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Old age
- Other recognised circumstances
The required remedy depends on the situation.
For an ordinary temporary illness, for example, the Qur’an directs the person to make up the missed days later.
Kaffarah is associated with deliberate violation of the fast in circumstances where the relevant Islamic ruling makes it necessary.
The exact circumstances that trigger Kaffarah can differ between schools of jurisprudence.
If you deliberately broke a fast, speak to a qualified scholar before deciding that a donation alone settles the matter.
Fidya vs Kaffarah: Worked Examples
Understanding the difference becomes easier with examples.
Example 1: Permanent illness
A person has a long-term medical condition and cannot fast or reasonably make up the missed days.
They have 20 eligible missed fasts.
At £5 per day:
20 × £5 = £100 Fidya
They can pay Fidya online through the relevant charity’s donation system.
Example 2: Temporary illness
A person becomes ill during Ramadan and misses 7 fasts.
They recover after Ramadan and are medically able to fast later.
This situation generally involves Qada rather than automatically paying Fidya.
The Qur’an explicitly provides for making up missed days after Ramadan for illness and travel.
Example 3: Deliberately broken fast
A person deliberately breaks one Ramadan fast without a valid excuse and their situation falls under the Kaffarah ruling.
If the feeding option applies and the charity’s 2026 rate is £5 per person:
60 × £5 = £300 Kaffarah
But the person should first establish the applicable ruling rather than assuming that paying £300 is always the only remedy.
Example 4: Missing Ramadan because of menstruation
A woman misses 6 Ramadan fasts because of menstruation.
Those days are generally made up later.
This does not normally mean paying £30 Fidya simply because the six fasts were missed.
The obligation to make up the fasts is distinct from Fidya.
Example 5: Full Ramadan for someone permanently unable to fast
A person has a valid permanent reason and cannot fast or make up any of the 30 Ramadan fasts.
At £5 per day:
30 × £5 = £150 Fidya
This is the current Your Impact Foundation calculation.
How to Pay Fidya and Kaffarah Online
If you need to pay Fidyah, online payment can make the process straightforward.
Step 1: Establish that Fidya applies
Do not assume every missed fast requires Fidya.
Determine whether you should:
- Fast the missed day later
- Pay Fidya
- Pay Kaffarah
- Or seek a scholar’s ruling
Step 2: Calculate your missed days
Count the number of days for which Fidya is actually due.
For example:
18 days × £5 = £90
Step 3: Choose a trustworthy charity
Look for a charity that explains:
- Its Fidya rate
- Where the money goes
- Who receives the food
- Its charitable registration
- Its distribution policy
Step 4: Make your intention
Fidya is an act connected with fulfilling an Islamic obligation, so make the appropriate intention when paying.
Step 5: Donate the calculated amount
You can pay Zakat online in the UK if you also have Zakat due, but keep Zakat and Fidya as separate obligations.
Your Impact Foundation states that its donation policy covers Fidya and Kaffarah and that these funds are used to provide food for people in need.
Where Does Fidya Go?
Fidya is intended to feed people who are in need.
This is important because Fidya is not simply a general-purpose charity donation.
Qur’an 2:184 refers to feeding a needy person for each relevant missed day.
A charity receiving Fidya should therefore have a process for directing those funds toward eligible beneficiaries and providing food or its accepted monetary equivalent according to the relevant Islamic methodology.
This is another reason to choose a charity that clearly explains its Fidya distribution process.
How Your Fidya an d Kaffarah Donation Helps People in Need
When you donate Fidya, your payment can be used to provide food to people experiencing poverty or hardship.
Your Impact Foundation explains that its Fidya and Kaffarah donations are used to provide meals for people in need. Its wider donation information also describes a 100% donation policy covering Fidya and Kaffarah appeals.
The exact food package, location and beneficiary can vary according to the charity’s current programme.
This makes the donation more than a payment calculation.
It connects a religious obligation with practical support for someone who needs food.
Fidya and Kaffarah Are Not Zakat
Fidya, Kaffarah and Zakat are separate Islamic obligations or forms of giving.
| Payment | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| Zakat | Obligatory purification of qualifying wealth |
| Fidya | Feeding compensation for certain people unable to complete required fasts |
| Kaffarah | Expiation for certain violations, including applicable deliberate breaking of a Ramadan fast |
| Sadaqah | Voluntary charity |
If you are unsure about your Zakat obligation, use the Zakat calculator separately.
Do not simply add Fidya or Kaffarah to your Zakat calculation.
Common Mistakes When Paying Fidya and Kaffarah
Mistake 1: Assuming every missed fast requires Fidya
A temporary illness may require Qada instead.
The Qur’an explicitly mentions making up missed days for illness and travel.
Mistake 2: Treating Fidya and Kaffarah as the same
They have different purposes and different rules.
Mistake 3: Using an outdated rate
Fidya is linked to the cost of the relevant food provision, so monetary rates can change.
Check the current rate for the charity or scholarly methodology you follow.
Mistake 4: Assuming £300 is a universal Kaffarah amount
The £300 figure comes from:
60 × £5
If the applicable food value changes, the monetary equivalent changes too.
Mistake 5: Paying the wrong type of donation
Do not simply select a general charity fund when you specifically need to fulfil Fidya or Kaffarah.
Choose the appropriate appeal.
Mistake 6: Ignoring differences between Islamic schools
Questions involving pregnancy, breastfeeding, delayed Qada, menstruation, deliberate breaking of fasts and other circumstances can have differences of opinion.
When your situation is complicated, ask a qualified scholar.
Fidya and Kaffarah UK 2026: Quick Calculation Table
Here is the simple calculation guide for the £5 Your Impact Foundation rate:
| Situation | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day Fidya | 1 × £5 | £5 |
| 5 days Fidya | 5 × £5 | £25 |
| 10 days Fidya | 10 × £5 | £50 |
| 20 days Fidya | 20 × £5 | £100 |
| 30 days Fidya | 30 × £5 | £150 |
| 1 Kaffarah | 60 × £5 | £300 |
| 2 Kaffarah | 120 × £5 | £600 |
| 3 Kaffarah | 180 × £5 | £900 |
These are calculation examples using Your Impact Foundation’s £5 rate. They should not be presented as a universally fixed UK religious rate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fidya & Kaffarah
How much is Fidya for missed fasts in 2026?
Your Impact Foundation’s 2026 rate is £5 per eligible missed fast. At that rate, 10 days would be £50 and 30 days would be £150. Other UK organisations publish different rates because the monetary value of Fidya can be calculated differently.
How much is Fidya per day?
At Your Impact Foundation’s 2026 rate, it is £5 per eligible missed fast.
How much Fidya should I pay for 30 missed fasts?
At £5 per day, the total is £150.
Can I pay Fidya for missed fasts due to pregnancy?
This depends on the circumstances and school of Islamic jurisprudence you follow. Pregnancy does not automatically mean Fidya is the only obligation. A qualified scholar can advise whether Qada, Fidya, or another ruling applies.
Do you pay Fidya for your period?
Menstruation normally means missed Ramadan fasts are made up later rather than replaced by Fidya. If there are other circumstances affecting your ability to make up the fasts, seek individual guidance.
Can Fidya be paid after Ramadan?
Yes, Fidya can generally be paid after Ramadan when it is due, although scholars differ over some timing details.
What is the difference between Fidya and Kaffarah?
Fidya is generally associated with a person who cannot fulfil the fast and cannot reasonably make it up because of a continuing valid reason. Kaffarah is an expiation that applies to certain violations, including applicable deliberate breaking of a Ramadan fast.
How much is Kaffarah for breaking a fast in 2026?
Using the £5 feeding rate, one applicable Kaffarah is £300, based on feeding 60 poor people. Islamic Relief UK currently publishes the same £300 calculation.
When is Kaffarah necessary?
Kaffarah can become necessary when a Ramadan fast is deliberately broken without a valid excuse in circumstances covered by the relevant Islamic ruling. The exact details can differ between schools of jurisprudence.
Can I pay Kaffarah instead of fasting for 60 days?
Not automatically. The hadith establishes a sequence of expiation options, and the feeding option applies when the person cannot fulfil the preceding fasting requirement.
What is Kaffarah for sins?
Kaffarah is an expiation for particular violations. It is not a general payment that automatically erases every sin. Different actions have different rulings and forms of expiation.
Can I pay Fidya online?
Yes. Many UK charities accept Fidya online. Before paying, check the charity’s current rate and distribution policy.
Where should I donate Fidya?
Choose a charity that has a clear Fidya appeal and explains how the funds are distributed to people in need. You can donate Fidya through Your Impact Foundation using its current donation system.
Can I give Kaffarah to a charity?
Yes, a charity can facilitate the feeding of eligible people when its Kaffarah programme follows the relevant Islamic rules. Make sure you select a dedicated Kaffarah appeal rather than assuming a general donation fulfils the obligation.
Does Fidya replace missed fasts?
Only where Fidya is actually applicable. Someone who is temporarily unable to fast may need to make up the missed fasts later instead.
Is Fidya the same as Zakat?
No. Fidya and Zakat are separate obligations with different rules. If you have both obligations, calculate them separately.
Pay Your Fidya and Kaffarah Online in the UK
If you have established that Fidya is due, calculating the amount is straightforward.
At the current Your Impact Foundation rate:
Eligible missed fasts × £5 = Fidya due
For example:
15 days × £5 = £75
If you need to pay Fidya, you can pay your Fidya online and help provide food to people in need.
If you also need to fulfil your Zakat, calculate that separately using our Zakat calculator.
For those who owe Kaffarah, the feeding calculation at the same £5 rate is:
60 people × £5 = £300 per applicable deliberately broken fast.
The most important step is to make sure you are paying the right obligation for your circumstances.
If you are uncertain whether your missed fast requires Qada, Fidya or Kaffarah, speak to a qualified Islamic scholar before making the payment.
Fulfil Your Ramadan Obligation
Fidya and Kaffarah exist within a broader Islamic framework of worship, responsibility and care for people in need.
Fidya can turn an unavoidable inability to fast into an opportunity to feed someone who needs food.
Kaffarah provides a structured form of expiation for certain violations.
For 2026, Your Impact Foundation uses £5 per eligible Fidya day and £300 for an applicable Kaffarah based on feeding 60 people at £5 each.
If you know that Fidya is due, pay your Fidya online today and fulfil your obligation while helping provide food to people in need.
Islamic rulings can differ between madhhabs and individual circumstances. This guide explains commonly applied principles and the published 2026 rates used by the relevant charity. It is not a substitute for a personal fatwa or scholarly ruling.
