Prepared by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi ©Al-Ma’arif Foundation

On this page you will find Ramadhan resources surrounding fasting, travel, medicine, fidya, kaffara, a seminar video, fitra & more

Qaza, Fidya & Kaffarah

What is Qaza?
To make up for a fast missed due to a valid excuse or out of negligence.

What is Fidya?
A compensation to be paid for fasts missed due to valid reasons.


What is Kaffara?
A fine to be paid for fasts missed due to invalid reasons; negligence, knowingly not fulfilling the obligation.

Which one do I need?

Click the box relevant to your situation to determine your obligations.

(fever, severe cold, infection, etc)

Qaza: Required
Fidya: Required if qaza was not fulfilled within a year
Kaffara: Not required

(diabetes, etc)

Qaza: Not required
Fidya: Required
Kaffara: Not required

Qaza: Not required
Fidya: Not required
Kaffara: Not required

Qaza: Not required
Fidya: Required
Kaffara: Not required

Qaza: Required
Fidya: Required
Kaffara: Not required

Qaza: Required
Fidya: Required
Kaffara: Not required

Qaza: Required
Fidya: Not required
Kaffara: Required

Note that fasts missed in the early years of bulugh due to ignorance is exempt from kaffarah, but qaza fasts must be fulfilled.

See the ‘Fasting during Travel’ section on this page

Under Ay. Sistani’s rulings, you may simply pay fidya for the oustanding fasts of your parents.

For all others refer to the next section.

For deceased individuals, check the other sections to see what category best applies to their situation (illness, old age, negligence, etc) and note what kind of obligation was required.

You may then pay the fidya/kaffara (if applicable).

You may also complete their qaza fasts on their behalf yourself, or you may pay someone to do so.

How much is Fidya or Kaffara?

Fidya is 750 grams of rice, flour, or any staple good, per day of missed fasts, to be given to needy Shi’a Muslims. It’s recommended to double it to 1.5kg.

Kaffara is 750 grams of rice, flour, or any staple good, per day of missed fasts, to be given to 60 needy Shi’a Muslims. This is equal to 45kg per day.

Note that the recipient must receive fidya and kaffarah in the form of rice, flour, or staple good; not cash. As a result, donation rates will vary by region and organization.

Visit al-m.ca/donate to view our rates, and to fulfill your qaza, fidya or kaffarah obligations.

Medicine while Fasting?

Click the relevant box to view permissible and impermissible medication intake methods during fasting.

  • Eye Drops
  • Nasal Drops
  • COVID-19 Vaccine
  • Injection / Syringe
  • IV Drop
  • Steam inhalation with water only
  • Puffer Inhaler (since it only enters the respiratory tract)
  • Feeding Tube
  • Liquid Enema
  • Steam inhalation mixed with medicine
  • All meds taken through the mouth (except puffer / inhaler)

Related FAQs

Fasting During Travel?

Use the form below to determine whether you should fast during your travels.

If you’re located in the Toronto area, you can click here for an interactive map to determine your exact distance of travel from the city limits.

Are you travelling out of city limits at a minimum distance of at least 44KM round-trip (ex 22km going, 22km coming back) OR 44KM one way? Choose the Yes or No button accordingly.

You haven’t traveled far from city limits. Your fast is valid and should be carried out as normal.

Your fast is invalid.

Will you be in the same city for at least 10 continuous days?

Yes
Fast for the duration of the stay,
starting after the day of travel.
Make up for the missed fast(s) after Ramadhan.
No
You cannot fast during your stay.
Make up for the missed fast(s) after Ramadhan.

Your fast is valid. Continue fasting until Maghrib time at your current location.

Will you be in the same city for at least 10 continuous days?

Yes
Fast for the duration of the stay.
No
You cannot fast during your stay.
(ie after the day of arrival)
Make up for the missed fast(s) after Ramadhan.
Click Here for Related Fasting & Travel FAQs

Visit al-m.ca/travel for more useful tools regarding travel rulings, including:
– Interactive Toronto map which determines if you’re a Musafir when leaving town
– Qibla direction & prayer time on your specific plane flight
– Qibla direction from any location in the world
– Qasr Salat explained
– Informative & easy-to-understand videos explaining rulings

Seminar Video

Zakātu ’l-Fiṭrah

The Basics

Wajib upon everyone who is baligh and is considered mentally sound.

Must be paid by the head of the family, on behalf of himself and all dependents. Dependents include:

  • Those whose maintenance is a duty upon you (wife, children, parents, etc)
  • Those whose maintenance is not a duty upon you but you provide for them regularly; regardless of whether they live with you or not, are baligh or not, or are Muslim/non-Muslim
  • Temporary guests staying with you from before the sunset of the eve of Eid.

Fitra is not wajib upon an unborn baby, or a baby born after maghrib on the eve of Eid.

Fitra becomes obligatory to pay:
From after sunset on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr (night before Eid)
To the time of Eid prayer the next day, or Zuhr time if you’re not joining the Eid Salat

Deserving, less fortunate Shi’as, in order of preference:

  • Relatives
  • Shi’as in your city
  • Shi’as in other regions
  • Reputable organizations who will disburse aid accordingly

Note that Sadaat (descendents of the family of the Prophet) cannot receive fitra from non-Sadaat, however non-Sadaat can be recipients from Sadaat donors.

Al-Ma’arif Foundation also collects and distributes Fitra resources to people in need. Click here to make your fitra contributions.

For every person in your household (see ‘Who Must Pay?’ section), the recipient must receive 3kg of staple goods either in kind, or the cash equivalent.

The cash value will vary by region due to differences in the type of staple goods, and prices.

For Canada, the amount is $10 per person in your household. (ie 5 people = $50)

Al’Ma’arif Foundation also collects and distributes Fitra resources to people in need. Click here to make your fitra contributions.

FAQs

You may pay earlier during the month of Ramadhan.

However, it’s advisable to do so with a niyyat (intention) of a loan, and then change your niyyat to fitra on the eve of Eid.

Yes you may pay online.

However, you should do so with the niyyat that the organization you’re paying will be your wakil (agent) to disburse these funds to the needy.

If you’re paying online in advance, see the question above for additional niyyat information.

Al-Ma’arif Foundation also collects and distributes Fitra resources to people in need. Click here to make your fitra contributions.

If you paid after Eid prayers, and even after Zuhrain prayers, then do so with the niyyat of ‘Qurbat’

Fitra Videos

Informational Video

Interactive Quiz

Other Resources

Ramadhan Guide

Click below to download the Fasting & Ramadhan Guide, written by Syed Muhammad Rizvi. (© 2017, 2nd Edition)
This booklet includes:

  • What to do when travelling in Ramadhan
  • Qaza, Fidya, & Kaffara Explained
  • Medicine use while fasting
  • Who is exempt from fasting
  • Spiritual dimensions of fasting
  • Ramadhan Resolutions
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Fasting & Ramadhan Guide

1 file(s) 666.93 KB
Download

Fasting and Coronavirus

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Fasting & Coronavirus - Urdu Message from Maulana Rizvi

1 file(s) 316.12 KB
Download