The month of Ramadan is indeed full of blessings, but not everyone is able to observe it. This can be due to age, illness, or other circumstances. Fortunately, Islam provides flexibility to make up for this by paying the fidyah (compensation) for fasting. However, how do you pay the fidyah according to Islamic law? Here’s a complete explanation.
What is Fidyah?
Kata fidyah berasal dari Bahasa Arab, yakni fadaa yang berarti mengganti atau menebus.
Quoting BAZNAS’ explanation, in the context of Ramadan fasting, fidyah can be defined as compensation paid by someone who cannot fast due to a sharia-compliant excuse, such as serious illness, advanced age, or other conditions that prevent them from fasting.
In return, they are required to pay fidyah for each missed day of fasting.
Allah has explained the recommendation to pay fidyah yourself in QS. Al-Baqarah verse 184 which reads:
اَيَّامًا مَّعْدُوْدٰتٍۗ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَّرِيْضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَۗ وَعَلَى الَّذِيْنَ يُطِيْقُوْنَهٗ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِيْنٍۗ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهٗۗ وَاَنْ تَصُوْمُوْا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ
Meaning: (Namely) certain days. So, whoever among you is sick or on a journey (and does not fast), (must make up) the number of days (that he did not fast) on other days. For him who finds it difficult to fast, there must be a fidyah (compensation), (namely) feeding a poor person. Whoever does good voluntarily, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if you only knew.
This verse emphasizes that people who are unable to fast during Ramadan are obliged to pay fidyah as a substitute for the missed fasting, and also answers why fidyah must be paid—namely because it is obligatory.
Who Pays Fidyah?
As explained, this act of worship is a “replacement” for obligatory fasting during Ramadan that was missed due to certain circumstances. The following are the criteria for this.
1. Elderly Parents
These are elderly people who are elderly and no longer able to fast. Therefore, this group is exempt from fasting but must pay a fidyah (compensation).
2. Seriously Ill People
These are people who are seriously ill and have little (or even no) chance of recovery. Therefore, they are required to pay fidyah to compensate for the missed fast.
3. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women receive relief (rukhsah) from fasting during the month of Ramadan. However, they are required to compensate for fasting (qadha) and/or pay fidyah depending on the reason. Following are the conditions:
- If they are only concerned about their own well-being, they are not required to pay fidyah. However, they must make up the fasts later after Ramadan ends.
- If they are concerned only about the health of the fetus/baby, there is a difference of opinion among scholars. One opinion states that the mother only needs to make up the fasts. However, the second opinion states that the mother must make up the fasts and pay fidyah.
4. Deceased Person
People who have died but still have fasting debts so that their heirs or family may pay fidyah on their behalf. However, in the Shafi’i school of thought there are two provisions that need to be understood:
- It is obligatory to pay fidyah if the deceased missed the fast without an excuse or because of an excuse but did not immediately pay off his fast debt (even though he could have) until he died.
- Fidyah is not obligatory if the deceased(ah) abandons fasting due to old age and does not have the opportunity to make up for his fast until he dies.
When Should You Pay Fidyah for Fasting?
Fidyah should be paid as soon as possible after a person is unable to fast, so that the obligation can be fulfilled quickly and can benefit those in need. However, there are several payment times to consider.
1. On the same day or during Ramadan
If you are certain that you are unable to fast (for example, because you are elderly or suffer from a chronic illness), fidyah can be paid directly every day or all at once on the last day of Ramadan according to the number of days missed.
2. After Ramadan Ends, Before the Next Ramadan
If a person only confirms that he cannot make up for his fast after Ramadan ends, fidyah must be paid before the next Ramadan.
3. Before He Died
If someone is sick and is not expected to recover, his family can pay fidyah on his behalf if he dies before he can pay it.
In essence, the sooner the fidyah is paid, the better, so that worship can still be carried out and the poor and needy who are entitled to it can immediately receive the benefits.
However, what about poor people who are unable to fast and cannot pay fidyah? The Baitul Maal Hidayatullah (BMH) website explains that if circumstances make it impossible, the obligation to pay fidyah is waived.
How Much Fidyah Must Be Paid?
There are differing opinions regarding the amount of fidyah that must be paid by someone who is unable to fast. Here’s an explanation.
1. Mazhab Hanafi
According to Hanafi scholars, the fidyah (compensation) that must be paid is the equivalent of 2 muds of wheat per day of missed fasting. One mud is equivalent to 815 grams of wheat, totaling 1.63 kg of wheat per day.
This school explains that fidyah can be paid in the form of food for the poor or in the form of money of equivalent value.
2. Mazhab Maliki and Syafi’i
According to the Maliki and Shafi’i schools, the fidyah that must be paid is 1 mud of staple food per day of fasting missed. In this school of thought, 1 mud is approximately 675 grams (which can be rice, dates, or other staple foods).
This fidyah can be given directly to the poor or processed into food before giving it to charity.
3. Mazhab Hambali
Similar to the Maliki and Shafi’i schools, the Hambali school states that the amount of fidyah that must be paid is 1 mud of staple food per day of missed fasting.
However, Imam Hambali recommends that this be given in the form of ready-to-eat food for the poor.
4. Local Institution Provisions
Labamu friends must be aware that traditional measurements, such as sha’ and mud, may be difficult to convert accurately into modern units of weight.
Therefore, you can also refer to local religious authorities or official zakat institutions for accurate guidance.
For example, for the DKI Jakarta region, based on the Decree of the Head of BAZNAS No. 07 of 2023 concerning Zakat Fitrah and Fidyah for the Greater Jakarta Capital Region and its Surrounding Areas, the value of fidyah in the form of money is equivalent to IDR 60,000.00 per day per person.
How to Pay Fidyah?
In Islam, there are several ways to pay fidyah, namely as follows.
1. Provide Direct Food
Fidyah can be paid in the form of ready-to-eat meals to the poor, each day, for the number of days of fasting missed. The meal can be a portion of rice with side dishes or a staple food such as rice.
2. Pay in Cash
Some scholars permit paying fidyah in cash equivalent to the price of one portion of food. The amount is adjusted to reflect food prices in each region. For example, Rp 60,000.00 for Jakarta and Rp 15,000.00 for Ngawi Regency.
3. Distributing Through Zakat Institutions
Currently, many trusted zakat institutions, such as BAZNAS, Dompet Dhuafa, and LAZNAS, provide fidyah payment services. This method is considered more practical because the institution itself distributes the fidyah to those who deserve it.
4. Memanfaatkan Platform Digital
In the digital era, fidyah can also be paid via bank transfer, e-wallet, or financial platforms partnered with zakat institutions. However, if you’re using a digital institution or platform, ensure its security and choose one with official permits.
Jadi, membayar fidyah hukumnya adalah kewajiban bagi mereka yang tidak bisa berpuasa dan Islam telah memberikan tuntunan untuk menunaikannya.
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