Expiation for breaking the Ramadan fast
Table of Contents
Allah Almighty has made fasting the blessed month of Ramadan obligatory upon sane and capable Muslims, making it a means to erase sins and misdeeds and a path to entering Paradise. However, some people fall short of fasting the entire blessed month, whether due to legitimate excuses or without them. Therefore, Allah has prescribed expiation as a deterrent to prevent Muslims from repeating such mistakes and as a means of atonement by compensating for shortcomings in acts of worship.
Therefore, in today’s article, we will learn together about the ruling on breaking the fast during Ramadan, the expiation for fasting, and how to pay the expiation of fasting to Jerusalem through the effective Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.
Who Is Obligated to Fast?
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every Muslim who meets the following conditions:
- Islam: Fasting is obligatory only upon Muslims and not upon disbelievers. Allah Almighty says: “And what prevents their contributions from being accepted is nothing except that they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and did not come to prayer except lazily and did not spend except while they were unwilling.”
- Puberty: Fasting is only obligatory upon mature adults.
- Sanity: It is not valid for an insane person or one suffering from mental illness to fast during Ramadan.
- Ability: The fasting person must be physically capable and not suffering from a serious illness, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Residency: The fasting person must not be traveling, as breaking the fast is permitted during travel. Allah Almighty says: “And whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days.”
- Purity from impediments such as menstruation and postpartum bleeding: Women in these states are not required to fast and must make up the days after purification. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Is it not that when she menstruates, she does not pray or fast?”
Ruling on Breaking the Fast in Ramadan
Breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan without a legitimate excuse is considered a grave sin for which Allah will hold a person accountable. It is counted among the major sins, as it constitutes disobedience to Allah’s command. Allah Almighty says: “Then complete the fast until the night.” (Al-Baqarah: 187)
Moreover, breaking the fast during the daytime in Ramadan shows disrespect for the sanctity of this great time and violates the holiness of the blessed month. Whoever breaks the fast without an excuse must sincerely repent to Allah Almighty, express deep remorse, and firmly resolve not to repeat this act without a valid excuse.
If the fast was broken through marital intercourse, expiation is required: freeing a slave; if unable, fasting two consecutive months; and if unable, feeding sixty poor people for each day the fast was invalidated.
Expiation for Fasting in Ramadan
The expiation for fasting in Ramadan serves as a legal compensation for one who breaks the fast without a valid reason or deliberately. It varies depending on the reason for breaking the fast, and its purpose is to cover the sin committed by the fasting person.
Expiation for a Menstruating Woman
Breaking the fast due to menstruation is a legitimate excuse, and its expiation is only making up the missed days after Ramadan. Feeding the poor is not required unless the makeup fast is delayed. If the makeup is delayed, then one poor person must be fed for each delayed day.
Expiation for the Sick and the Traveler
The expiation for the sick and the traveler is making up the missed days after Ramadan. Feeding the poor is not required unless the makeup is delayed until the next Ramadan. A chronically ill person with no hope of recovery is treated like an elderly person and must feed one poor person for each missed day, and may be exempt if the incapacity is permanent.
Expiation for the Elderly and Those with Chronic Illnesses
Their expiation is feeding one poor person for each day missed, provided as food equal to one Saa‘ (approximately 1.5 kg) of the staple food of the country such as rice, bread, or dates. If giving money is more beneficial to the poor, it is permissible to give its monetary equivalent.
Expiation for Deliberate Breaking of the Fast through Intercourse
The expiation follows this order:
- Freeing a believing slave.
- If unable, fasting two consecutive months.
- If unable, feeding sixty poor people.
It should be noted that whoever deliberately engages in intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan must also:
- Repent sincerely and seek forgiveness from Allah, as this act is considered a major sin.
- Make up the day that was broken.
Furthermore, the consenting wife must also make up the day and repent. However, if poverty or incapacity was the reason, the expiation is waived.
The Difference Between Fidya and Expiation
Fidya and expiation are two Islamic terms referring to compensation for a missed obligation or the commission of a prohibited act.
What Is Fidya?
Fidya refers to a monetary amount paid by a fasting person who is unable to fast due to a legitimate excuse, such as chronic illness or old age. It involves feeding one poor person per day or paying its equivalent in money. Fidya is an obligatory duty without involving sin.
What Is the Amount of Fidya?
The amount of fidya is half a Saa‘ per day, approximately 1.5 kg of staple food such as rice, dates, or wheat.
What Is Expiation?
Expiation is an act intended to erase a specific sin and is obligatory upon a Muslim who breaks a fast without a legitimate excuse. It may take the form of fasting, feeding the poor, or freeing a slave, and its purpose is repentance and returning to Allah.
What Is the Amount of Expiation?
The expiation for breaking the fast through intercourse is freeing a slave, or fasting two months, or feeding sixty poor people. The food amount is half a Saa‘ per poor person. If expiation is due to delayed makeup, half a Saa‘ is given per poor person.
Pay Your Fasting Expiation to Jerusalem
You can pay your fasting expiation to Jerusalem to support needy families suffering daily from food shortages due to war that has taken their homes and livelihoods. You may feed one poor person for each missed fasting day through trusted humanitarian organizations such as Al-Wafaa Association, which has proven its efficiency in delivering aid to those in need through an experienced and active team.
How to Pay the Fasting Expiation to Jerusalem
You can pay the fasting expiation by following these steps:
- First, determine the value of the expiation.
- Choose a trusted organization capable of delivering aid to the poor of Palestine, such as Al-Wafaa Humanitarian Association.
- Ensure sincere intention solely for the sake of Allah when feeding the poor for each missed day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Obligated to Pay Fasting Expiation?
Fasting expiation is obligatory upon every sane and capable Muslim who breaks the fast without a legitimate excuse during Ramadan, and upon those who delay making up missed days until the next Ramadan.
What Are the Types of Fasting Expiation?
They include:
- Major expiation: freeing a slave, or fasting two months, or feeding sixty poor people.
- Minor expiation: for delaying the makeup of missed fasts.
- Expiation for Zihar.
- Expiation for breaking an oath.
- Expiation for accidental killing.
- Expiation for shortcomings during Hajj.
Is It Permissible to Pay Fasting Expiation in Cash?
Yes, it is permissible to pay fasting expiation in cash if it is more beneficial to the poor, provided it equals the value of the food.
What Is the Cash Amount of Fidya for Fasting?
The fidya amount in cash equals approximately 750 grams to 1.5 kg of staple food such as rice, wheat, or dates per missed day, which is equivalent to about 5 USD, more or less depending on the country.
