Fidya and kaffarah are different obligations. Fidya may apply where a person cannot fast and is not expected to regain the ability. Kaffarah applies to specific violations with school-specific conditions. A cash multiplication cannot decide which applies or replace an obligation to make up or fast when required.
A missed fast does not always mean a payment
Temporary illness, travel and other valid reasons can involve making up a fast later. Permanent inability can involve fidya. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, recovery and delayed make-up fasts have additional differences between schools. Discuss health with a clinician and the religious obligation with a qualified scholar.
Fidya feeding estimates
For a case where fidya is due, establish the number of relevant days and your chosen provider’s per-day feeding rate. The GBP rate varies; it is not fixed forever.
With 10 eligible days and an illustrative £5 rate, 10 × £5 = £50. If the provider’s current rate is different, update the rate before paying.
Kaffarah is not simply a fee for every missed fast
Whether kaffarah applies depends on the act and circumstances, with differences between schools. For relevant fasting violations, the expiation may involve a prescribed order including fasting and, where the conditions permit, feeding 60 people in need. Do not present payment as an unconditional alternative to fasting.
Repeated violations and the number of expiations require a ruling; a count of missed days is not necessarily the number of feeding obligations. This site’s feeding estimator only multiplies a confirmed obligation by a chosen cost.
Choose the right destination
Confirm that the recipient organisation can fulfil the required feeding and timing conditions. A general medical donation does not automatically fulfil a feeding obligation. Keep these payments separate from Zakat al-Mal and from voluntary Sadaqah.
Sources & calculation method
Sources checked on 8 September 2026. External organisations publish their own guidance; a citation does not imply their endorsement of this website.
This is educational guidance. We identify differences where relevant and do not claim a named scholarly review. For a personal ruling, consult a qualified scholar familiar with your circumstances. Our editorial policy.