Description
What is the difference between Fedyah and Kaffarah?
Fedyah
Fedyah is a compensation for the people who are not able to fast due to being sick, having a disability or old age, then the person must feed a poor person for every day they did not participate in fasting. If the person is unable to fast due to travelling or a temporary sickness from which there is the hope of recovery, then he should make up the day(s) before the next Ramadan. How much is Fedyah? Fedyah is calculated by way of feeding one poor person for each day that is missed.
The estimated cost to feed 1 person is $12.
Supporting Reference: Allah The Compassionate says: “Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast is better for you if only you know.” {Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184}
Kaffarah
Kaffarah is to compensate for a wrong action. This can include breaking an oath or breaking your fast in Ramadan intentionally (without a valid excuse such as a traveller or being sick etc).
Depending on the initial intended action, it is worked out by way of the following:
- A broken oath requires a person to fast 3 consecutive days or feed 10 people.
- Breaking your fast in Ramadan intentionally requires a person to either fast 60 consecutive days or feed 60 people. The estimated cost to feed 1 person is $12
Supporting Reference: Abu Hurayra (May Allah be pleased with him) related that a man broke the fast in Ramadan and the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), ordered him to make kaffara by freeing a slave, or fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people. [Muwatta 18:28]
For more information visit the Fedyah Kaffarah page
