What Is Fidyah for Fasting? Who Pays It and How Much Is It in 2027?

Fasting Fidyah means that a person who cannot fast in Ramadan because of old age or an illness with no hope of recovery, and who will not be able to make up the fasts later either, feeds a poor person for each day.

In this article we explain, with worked examples, who has to pay Fidyah, how much it is in 2027 and how it differs from making up missed fasts.

What is Fidyah?

Literally, Fidyah means “a price paid to ransom a person or thing”.

As a religious term, it is a financial payment made to make up for a shortcoming in acts of worship.

Fasting Fidyah, the subject of this article, means that a person who cannot fast in Ramadan provides a poor person's daily food for each day.

Its basis is verse 184 of Surah al-Baqarah: “And upon those who can fast only with great hardship is a ransom: feeding a poor person.”

Who pays fasting Fidyah?

Fidyah applies to people who cannot fast in Ramadan and have no hope of being able to make up the fasts later.

• Elderly people: those who are too old to fast and have no prospect of regaining their strength.
• Chronically ill people: those who have been told by a doctor not to fast and have no hope of recovery (e.g. some serious kidney, heart or diabetic conditions).
• Permanent serious conditions: those whose health permanently makes fasting impossible.

What happens if someone recovers after paying Fidyah?

According to the Diyanet, a person who has paid Fidyah and later becomes able to fast again must make up the missed days.

The Fidyah they gave remains as the reward of a Sadaqah; it is not wasted.

What should someone do who is too poor to pay Fidyah?

A person who can neither fast nor afford to pay Fidyah asks Allah for forgiveness (istighfar).

If they later have the means, they pay their Fidyah.

Who makes up the fasts instead of paying Fidyah?

Many people confuse Fidyah with making up missed fasts. However, the following situations count as a temporary excuse, and the fasts are made up later:

• Temporary illness (flu, recovery after surgery, etc.),
• Travel (being a traveller),
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (when fasting is not possible for the health of the mother or baby),
• Women's periods of menstruation and postnatal bleeding.

In these cases, once the excuse has ended, one day of make-up fasting is observed for each missed day; no Fidyah is required.

The difference between Fidyah, making up fasts (qada) and kaffarah

Kaffarah is a detailed subject that depends on personal circumstances; in such a case, be sure to consult an imam.

How much is fasting Fidyah? The 2026–2027 amount

The High Council of Religious Affairs of the Diyanet has stated that the amount set for Fitrah is also the daily fasting Fidyah.

As the Fitrah announced by the Diyanet for Europe in 2026 is 15 €, the daily fasting Fidyah in Austria is at least 15 €.

This amount is valid until the start of Ramadan 2027. The amount for 2027 has not yet been announced; we will update this article once it is.

At Austria Yetim Eli, Fidyah is 15 € per day. For the Fitrah amount and dates, see our article “How much is Fitrah?”.

Calculating Fidyah: worked examples

Formula: number of missed days × 15 €.

Example scenario: an elderly mother in Graz

Mrs Fatma, aged 78, can no longer fast on her doctor's advice, and her condition is not expected to change.

1. According to the calendar, Ramadan 2027 runs from 8 February to 8 March, i.e. 29 days.
2. Fidyah: 29 × 15 € = 435 €.
3. If Ramadan lasts 30 days (depending on the sighting of the crescent moon), 1 day is added: 450 €.
4. Her son pays the Fidyah online on her behalf, with his mother's authorisation.

It is possible to pay Fidyah on someone else's behalf; what matters is that person's permission and intention.

When and how is Fidyah given?

Fidyah can be given for the whole month in one go at the start of Ramadan, day by day, or after Ramadan.

Giving it during Ramadan ensures that the needs of the poor for fasting and iftar are met at exactly the right time.

Should Fidyah be given to more than one poor person?

According to the Hanafi school, the Fidyah for several days may be given to a single poor person or distributed among different people.

Who can receive Fidyah?

Fidyah is given to the same people who may receive Fitrah and Zakat. It is not given to parents, children or one's spouse. For details, see our guide “Who can receive Zakat?”.

Fidyah for fasts from previous years

If you missed fasts in previous years because of a temporary excuse, you must make them up.

However, if you have since become permanently unable to fast, you can pay Fidyah for each day you owe.

Example: for someone who owes 20 make-up fasts and can no longer fast because of a chronic illness: 20 × 15 € = 300 €.

The wisdom of Fidyah: those who cannot fast also share in the blessings of Ramadan

Islam does not burden anyone beyond their capacity. Verse 185 of Surah al-Baqarah says: “Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”

Fidyah ensures that elderly and sick people who cannot fast are not completely cut off from this act of worship.

Even if a person cannot fast, they take part in the spirit of sharing in Ramadan by feeding a poor person every day.

In this way, the heart of the person who cannot fast finds peace, while on the other side a family's iftar and suhoor table is laid.

Practical tips for elderly and sick people living in Austria

• Talk to your doctor: with conditions such as diabetes, kidney or heart disease, make the decision about fasting together with your doctor. Most doctors in Austria are used to questions about Ramadan.
• Clarify your situation: is your illness temporary or permanent? If temporary, you make up the fasts; if permanent, Fidyah applies.
• Pay in one go: paying the Fidyah for 29 days (435 €) at once at the start of Ramadan makes it easier than keeping track day by day.
• Family support: if paying online is difficult for you, your children or grandchildren can pay on your behalf with your permission.
• Keep records: save the receipt e-mail you receive once the payment is confirmed; this makes it easy to keep track of which year's Fidyah you have paid.

How to pay fasting Fidyah from Austria

1. Open the Fidyah donation page.
2. Enter the number of days you missed as the quantity (15 € per day).
3. If you are paying on someone else's behalf, write whose behalf it is in the note field.
4. You can add your Fitrah and Zakat donation to the same basket.
5. Pay by Card / Online (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, EPS) or PayPal. Once the payment is confirmed, your donation receipt is sent by e-mail.

Your Fidyah reaches families in need in the countries we work in as food and meals.

To see all types of Ramadan donations in date order, read our Ramadan 2027 donation guide; for voluntary good deeds, our article “What is Sadaqah?” will also guide you.

Sources: Diyanet — Commentary on verse 184 of Surah al-Baqarah · High Council of Religious Affairs — 2026 Fitrah and Fidyah decision · TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam — Fidyah