The Sunni Association in Iraq / Fidya for Fasting

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Fidya for Fasting

All praise is to Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, and prayers and peace be upon the noble Prophet and his family; all his followers. As for what follows:

Out of Allah's mercy, He has lifted hardship in His religion and Sharia, including the concession for those unable to fast continuously; they may break their fast and offer fidya (compensation) for each day by feeding a needy person. This is the view of the majority of scholars.

- Such as the elderly men and women.

- Those with a chronic illness not expected to recover.

- Women who are continuously pregnant or nursing and unable to make up the fasts.

Ibn Abbas and others interpret Allah's saying: "(And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship], a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day])" to mean that those who cannot endure fasting may break their fast and feed a needy person each day, including pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.

Al-Bukhari mentioned: When Anas became old and could not fast, he would, for a year or two, feed a needy person bread and meat every day and break his fast.

In a sound hadith in Musnad and Sunan, from Anas bin Malik Al-Ka'bī, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "Allah has lifted half of the prayer and the obligation of fasting from the traveler, and the obligation of fasting from the pregnant and nursing women."

- The intent is to feed for the number of days of fasting missed; whether it is one needy person multiple times or a group of needy people equal to the number of days.

- Ibn Abbas, Sa'id bin Jubayr, and Ikrimah said: The fairest thing you can feed them is what you feed your family, meaning in terms of quality, sufficiency, and according to ease or difficulty, as the food of the wealthy is not like that of those less fortunate, as is known.

- One has the option to prepare a meal and feed the needy or give half a sa' (a measure, not weight) of any type of staple food in their country like dates, meat, rice, wheat, etc. A sa' by weight is approximately between two (2,000 grams) to two and a half kilograms (2,700 grams).

- The principle is to give it from food, which is most absolving of responsibility. It's permissible to give it in cash for a valid benefit or to prevent a clear harm, which is the opinion of Imam Abu Hanifa, a view among Imam Ahmad's opinions, Ishaq, and a group of the Tabi'un. This aligns with the context of Zakat, expiations, vows, etc., as it should be given according to the facilitation for the giver and what's most beneficial for the recipient. The purpose should not be neglected by adhering to a specific method of giving. If giving it in food causes its spoilage or wastes the needy's benefit or considerable hardship for the giver, then it should be given in cash, especially if connections between countries or regions within the same country are severed. Some needy may sell it at a low value seeking the money they need, causing difficulty for the giver and wasting the recipient's benefit.

- Its cash value varies by country, individual wealth, and the type of food in the country. Its value is estimated at (3,500 Iraqi Dinars) in Iraq and (40 Turkish Lira) in Turkey per day, and any increase is better ("And whatever you put forward for yourselves of good, you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward").

- Each person should estimate the amount based on the country they live in and spend in, not based on the country of their nationality or citizenship if they differ.

- It's permissible to appoint someone or an entity to deliver it, and there's no harm.

- It can be paid at the beginning, middle, or end of Ramadan, spread out or all at once, whether in kind or cash.

- The rightful recipients are the poor and needy, and it must not be given to the wealthy. If someone gives it to a wealthy person knowingly, it does not fulfill the obligation, and it's forbidden for the wealthy to take it for themselves or their family.

O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive us, and may Allah's prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family; all his followers.