Ummah Charity International (UCI) uses Fidyah, Fitrana and Kaffarah donations to feed needy people Iftar meals throughout the month of Ramadan. By paying yours now, you can help us ensure families facing starvation won’t have to go hungry in the blessed month.
Not sure whether you should be paying Fidya or Kaffarah? Here’s a simple explanation of both, and their conditions.
What is Fidyah?
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, and fardh (obligatory). Fidyah is a donation of food that a Muslim is obliged to make to a needy person, if a fast is missed for a valid reason, or mistakenly broken. If we cannot make up this missed fast later because of poor health or other legitimate reasons, we are obliged to pay Fidyah.
How Do I Calculate Fidyah?
For every missed fast, one should provide two meals to a person in need. The present rate for a substantial meal is £2.50, so for each fast missed, the Fidyah would be £5. If someone misses all the fasts of Ramadan (due to a long serious illness, for instance) they would need to pay £150.
What Is Kaffarah?
Kaffarah needs to be paid when you deliberately miss or break a fast in the month of Ramadan. Kaffarah payment is higher than Fidyah because, Kaffarah is the penalty for breaking a fast with no valid reason. Fasting is obligatory to every adult, sane, healthy Muslim, therefore, a large penalty is payable when one deliberately misses or breaks a fast.
How do I Calculate Kaffarah?
The compensation for a missed fast or a fast which is broken deliberately is to continuously fast for 60 days. If you are unable to do that then you must feed 60 people in need for a day (calculated at £5). £5 x 60 people = £300.
What Is Fitrana?
Fitrana, also commonly referred to as Fitrana or Zakat-ul-Fitr, is an obligatory charity made by every Muslim at the end of Ramadan (before Eid prayers at the latest). It is a way to give thanks to Allah (SWT) for all the blessings and increased rewards that the month brings.
Paying Fitrana is compulsory on every Muslim who has food to spare in his/her household, after every member has been fed for a day. Here are some of the conditions of Fitrana:
- Fitrana is equivalent to four handfuls of substantial food.
- Fitrana is due on every member of an eligible household.
- Fitrana may be paid by the adult male who is earning on behalf of his dependent children and spouse.
- Fitrana is calculated at £5 per person for 2022.
How We Spend Your Fidya, Kaffarah and Fitrana?
Islam puts a strong emphasis on helping the needy, and Ramadan is the time we are reminded most of their plight. By donating through UCI, you can be sure that your Fidya, Kaffarah and Fitrana will reach people living with food poverty in some of the most impoverished communities. Remember, Fitrah is time sensitive and must reach the poor before Eid prayer at the end of Ramadan. Fidya and Kaffarah isn’t but by giving yours early, you can ensure people facing hunger can fast on a full stomach this Ramadan. Donating now will make their Ramadan and Eid easier while enabling you to fulfil your religious obligations.