Question(s):
If I can’t perform my fasts due to illness and I’m paying Fidyah, how much do I pay?
Answer(s):
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The Fidyah amount is equal to Sadaqat al-Fiṭr – ½ Ṣāʿ (Approx. 1.75kg) of wheat. This amount or its value has to be given for each missed Sawm (fast) due to genuine complete inability. The value is determined by the price of wheat in the location of the donor, as outlined in our Fatwa here. [1]
The amount payable for Sadaqat al-Fitr can vary from city to city and thus, we advise you to enquire from local retail stores regarding the price of 1.75kg of wheat. This will be the approximate amount due for Fidyah per fast. It is better to pay slightly more to ensure one’s obligations are fulfilled.
Upon analysing the various figures provided by scholars across the country (UK), it seems £3/£4 will suffice for the obligation. However, one should consult local scholars in this regard and follow their guidance.
Note: The 1.75kg quoted here is inclusive of the opinion of the majority of Scholars. The great Jurist Mufti Rashīd Aḥmad Ludyānwī (d. 1422ah) held the view that 2.32kg of wheat is required to fulfil the obligation of donating 1⁄2 Ṣāʿ of wheat. He adds that 2.25kg can be used when calculating the value of 1⁄2 Ṣāʿ of wheat. (Aḥsan al-Fatāwā, 4: 416). Nevertheless, 1.75kg will suffice to fulfil the obligation. [2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Mufti Mubasshir Talha
2 Ramadhan 1441 / 25 April 2020
Approved by:
Mufti Tahir Wadee | Mufti Yusuf Ilolvi
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[References]
[1]
وعلى هذا إذا مات وعليه صلوات يطعم عنه لكل صلاة نصف صاع من حنطة. وكان محمد بن مقاتل يقول أولا: يطعم عنه لصلوات كل يوم نصف صاع على قياس الصوم، ثم رجع فقال: كل صلاة فرض على حدة بمنزلة صوم يوم، وهو الصحيح
[Al-Mabsūt, 3/90 – Dar al-Ma’rifah]
(ولو مات وعليه صلوات فائتة وأوصى بالكفارة يعطى لكل صلاة نصف صاع من بر) كالفطرة (وكذا حكم الوتر) والصوم، وإنما يعطي (من ثلث ماله) ولو لم يترك مالا يستقرض وارثه نصف صاع مثلا ويدفعه لفقير ثم يدفعه الفقير للوارث ثم وثم حتى يتم (ولو قضاها ورثته بأمره لم يجز) لأنها عبادة بدنية (بخلاف الحج) لأنه يقبل النيابة
[al-Durr al-Mukhtār ma’a al-Shami, 2/72 – Dar al-Fikr]
إن أداء القيمة مكان المنصوص عليه في الزكاة والصدقات والعشور والكفارات جائز عندنا
[Al-Mabsūt, 2/156 – Dar al-Ma’rifah]
[2]
اگر صدقت الفطر ميں گیہوں یا گیہوں کا آٹا ديا جاۓ تو وزن ماش کے مطابق ۲.۳۲ کلوگرام دينا لازم ہے البتہ اگر قيمت دينا چاہے تو ۲.۲۵ کلوگرام گیہوں دينے کی بھی گنجائش ہے ، معہذا ۲.۳۲ کلوگرام کی قيمت ادا کرنا افضل ہے۔
[Ahsanul Fatāwa, 4/416 – HM Saeed]
Benefit: “Mufti Ismail Bharkodrawi [Previous Head Mufti of Darululoom Kantharia would fix it at 1.640grams and this is my inclination also, but you are correct in what you have written and adopted.” – Mufti Yusuf Ilolvi, Mufti – Darululoom Kantharia
