What is fidya in Islam?

Where fidya comes from

The Quran mentions it in the verses on Ramadan:

Ibn Abbas, one of the leading Companions in Quran interpretation, explained that this verse still applies to old men and women who cannot fast: they feed a poor person for every day instead (Sahih al-Bukhari 4505).

Who pays fidya?

• Elderly people for whom fasting is too hard and won't get easier.
• People with a long-term illness where a doctor advises against fasting and recovery isn't expected. See Do I have to fast during Ramadan if I have diabetes?
• Someone who delayed make-up fasts past the next Ramadan without an excuse, according to the Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools (they pay fidya and still make up the days; the Hanafi school says making up is enough).
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: scholars differ. Many say they only make up the days; others add fidya when they skipped fasting only out of concern for the baby.

If your illness is temporary, you make up the days later instead of paying fidya. The same principle applies to mental health conditions; see Can I skip fasting because of a mental illness?

How much is it?

The basic unit is one meal for one poor person per missed day. Classical scholars measured it in staple food: the Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools give about one mudd (roughly 600-750 g of grain), and the Hanafi school gives half a sa' of wheat (about 1.6-2 kg), the same as zakat al-fitr. Today, most UK, European and US charities publish a fixed fidya amount per day, usually around the cost of a simple meal. Hanafis allow paying the value in money; many others prefer actual food, though charities often handle that for you.

How to pay it

You can feed the same poor person for many days or several people at once, and you can pay it during Ramadan or after. Give it to people in real need, either directly or through a reliable charity. Fidya is different from zakat and from voluntary sadaqah; see What is the difference between zakat and sadaqah?