Expiation for breaking the Ramadan fast
The blessed month of Ramadan is the month of fasting, worship, and drawing closer to Allah Almighty. During it, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, seeking mercy, forgiveness, provision, and great reward from Allah. Allah Almighty says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (Al-Baqarah 183).
However, Allah has prescribed an expiation (kaffarah) for those who break the fast during the holy month as a form of covering and mercy, and He has specified the categories who are permitted to break the fast provided they pay a kaffarah. Therefore, here is a complete explanation of all these points, while highlighting the role of Al-Wefaq Humanitarian Association in donating expiations to the people of Jerusalem.
Table of Contents
Who Is Obligated to Fast?
Fasting is obligatory for every Muslim, whether male or female.
Fasting is obligatory for every Muslim who has reached puberty or completed the age of fifteen.
Fasting is obligatory for every sane Muslim; it is not required from the insane, those who have lost mental capacity, or those suffering from severe mental illness.
Fasting is obligatory for every capable person who does not suffer from illness, old age, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.
Fasting is obligatory for every resident (non-traveler), unless the traveler intends to settle.
Categories Exempted from Fasting
There are several categories exempted from fasting according to Islamic law:
The sick person who is unable to fast.
The elderly and frail.
The traveler.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Those suffering from serious and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases.
Women during menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
Ruling on Breaking the Fast in Ramadan
The ruling on breaking the fast in Ramadan varies depending on whether there is a valid excuse or not, as follows:
Prohibition with obligation of making up the fast and paying kaffarah when there is no valid excuse, which has two cases:
Deliberate eating or drinking, which is a major sin requiring repentance and kaffarah such as fasting the missed day or feeding or clothing a poor person.
Deliberate breaking of the fast through intercourse, which is a major sin requiring a major kaffarah: freeing a slave, fasting two consecutive months, or feeding sixty poor people.
Permissibility with obligation to make up the fast when there is a valid excuse such as illness or travel. Elderly people must pay fidyah by feeding one poor person for each missed day.
Expiation for Fasting in Ramadan
Expiation for a Menstruating Woman Breaking the Fast
The expiation for a menstruating woman is making up the missed days only, without fidyah, as she must fast the missed days after her excuse ends.
Ruling on a Menstruating Woman Breaking the Fast
It is not permissible for a menstruating woman to fast, and she must make up the missed days after Ramadan without requiring consecutive fasting.
Expiation for the Sick and the Traveler
Making up the fast is required for the sick person who is expected to recover and for the traveler. Allah says: “And whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days” (Al-Baqarah 184).
Expiation for a Patient with No Hope of Recovery
A person suffering from a chronic or incurable disease must feed one poor person for each missed day.
Expiation for the Elderly and Chronically Ill
Feeding one poor person for each missed day, with an amount equal to half a saa‘ (approximately 1.5 kg of staple food).
Expiation for Deliberate Intercourse During the Day in Ramadan
Freeing a believing slave (rare today).
Fasting two consecutive months if unable to free a slave.
Feeding sixty poor people.
It is essential for the person who broke the fast deliberately to seek forgiveness and repentance from Allah.
Difference Between Fidyah and Kaffarah
The difference between fidyah and kaffarah can be clarified as follows:
| Comparison | Fidyah | Kaffarah |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Valid excuse such as illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or old age | Committing a prohibited act such as intercourse during Ramadan |
| Amount | Feeding one poor person for each missed day | Two consecutive months of fasting or feeding sixty poor people |
| Timing | For each missed day | After committing the violation |
Pay Your Fasting Expiation to Jerusalem
Contribute now by supporting those in need through paying your fasting expiation to the people of Jerusalem via trusted humanitarian organizations such as Al-Wefaq Humanitarian Association.
You can pay your fasting expiation either in the form of meals or in cash according to the required value.
How to Pay Your Fasting Expiation to Jerusalem via Al-Wefaq
You can pay your fasting expiation to Jerusalem through Al-Wefaq via the following donation link: elvefa
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to pay fasting expiation?
Fasting expiation is required from anyone who deliberately breaks the fast without a valid excuse or delays making up missed days until the next Ramadan.
What are the types of fasting expiation?
- Expiation for deliberate breaking of the fast (intercourse).
- Expiation for unintentional breaking of the fast.
- Expiation for delaying making up Ramadan fasts.
- Expiation for oaths.
- Expiation for zihar.
- Expiation for shaving during ihram.
- Expiation for vows.
Is it permissible to pay fasting expiation in cash?
Yes, it is permissible to pay fasting expiation in cash if it is more beneficial for the poor.
What is the cash value of fidyah?
The fidyah value in cash equals the cost of one or two meals for one poor person, approximately 750 grams of food.
