“He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person's rewards. [Ahmad]”
Adult Muslims who are physically able must fast throughout the month of Ramadan. If a person cannot fast — or breaks a fast — Islam provides three forms of compensation: Fidya for those who cannot fast at all, Kafara for fasts broken deliberately, and Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr) which every Muslim pays at the end of Ramadan.
Fidya — £5 per missed fast (2026 UK)
Fidya is paid by those who cannot fast due to chronic illness, old age, or other long-term conditions where making up the fast is not realistic. The current UK consensus (UKIM, Barakah, Al Mustafa Trust and others) is £5 per missed fast day in 2026 — enough to feed one person two meals.
Worked example
A pregnant or chronically ill person who misses the full month of Ramadan (30 days) pays: 30 × £5 = £150 Fidya. If only 10 days are missed: 10 × £5 = £50.
Fidya can be paid in advance during Ramadan, in instalments, or as a lump sum at any time during the year. There is no penalty for late payment — the obligation simply remains until settled.
Kafara — for fasts broken deliberately
Kafara applies when a fast is broken intentionally without a valid reason (e.g. eating or drinking deliberately during fasting hours, not due to illness or travel). For each such day, the scholar's ruling is to either:
- Fast for 60 consecutive days, or
- Feed 60 people in need — typically calculated as 60 × £5 = £300 per day broken (2026 UK guidance).
The 60 fasts must be consecutive — if broken, they restart. For this reason most UK donors choose the food option. Kafara does not replace the missed fast itself, which must also be made up later.
Fidya vs Kafara — at a glance
- Fidya = unable to fast (illness, age, pregnancy). £5 per missed day. No make-up fast required.
- Kafara = deliberately broke a fast without valid reason. £300 per day (or 60 consecutive fasts). Make-up fast also required.
Fitrana (Zakat al-Fitr) — £5 per person
Fitrana is an obligation on every Muslim — including children and dependants — paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. The 2026 UK rate is £5 per person minimum; some scholars recommend up to £7 per person to reflect the cost of a fuller staple meal. The head of the household typically pays on behalf of everyone in it. See our dedicated Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) guide for the full per-person breakdown, deadlines and worked examples.
Fitrana is distributed to those in need so they can celebrate Eid with food on the table. It must reach recipients before the Eid prayer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay Fidya in advance?
Yes. Many UK Muslims pay their Fidya at the start of Ramadan, especially when they already know they cannot fast (e.g. ongoing illness or pregnancy). Paying early ensures the food reaches recipients during the month itself.
Does Kafara apply to non-fasters or those who never started fasting?
Kafara specifically applies to a fast that was started and then deliberately broken without valid reason. A person who never began the fast — or who broke it due to illness, travel, menstruation, or genuine necessity — owes only the make-up fast (qada), and in some cases Fidya, not Kafara.
Who pays Fitrana for a newborn?
If the baby is born before sunset on the last day of Ramadan, Fitrana is due on their behalf. The head of the household pays the £5 (or £7) for them along with everyone else in the family.
Can Fitrana be combined with Zakat?
No — they are separate obligations. Zakat is 2.5% of qualifying wealth held for a lunar year. Fitrana is a fixed per-person amount paid at the end of Ramadan, and is obligatory on every Muslim regardless of wealth.
How does HNCO distribute these donations?
HNCO operates a 100% donation policy on Fidya, Kafara and Fitrana — every penny is converted into food and distributed to verified families in Pakistan, Bangladesh and other communities we serve. Administration is covered separately.