Fidyah and Kaffara

Fidyah (Arabic: الفدية‎‎) and Kaffara (Arabic: كفارة‎‎) are religious donations made in Islam when a fast (notably Ramadan) is broken. The donations can be of food, or money, and it is used to feed those in need. They are mentioned in the Qur'an which distinguishes the two, but unifies them into one idea. Some organizations have online Fidyah and Kaffara options.^[1]

Fidyah

Fidyah (also romanized as Fidya) is a religious donation of money or food made to help those in need. Fidyah is made when someone is ill or of extreme age (old or young) and cannot fast for the required amount of days. In Ramadan, the Fidyah can be made for any amount of days.^[2]

Kaffara

Kaffara (also romanized as Kaffarah) like Fidyah, is a religious donation of money or food made to help those in need. Kaffara is made when someone deliberately misses a fast day. In the Qur'an the reason for Kaffara is given as "or on a journey", implying that Kaffara is traditionally for those who would be away for Ramadan and would need to eat to keep up their strength. Today Kaffara can be made for other reasons as well. Kaffara is considered to be related to Kofer in Judaism.^[3]

In the Qur'an

Fidyah and Kaffara are mentioned in the Qur'an in the selection below:

• "(Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know."

  — Quran: 2:184^[4]

See also

• Sawm
• K-P-R

References