Fidya / Kaffara

“Fidya” is a donation type within the Islamic tradition paid by individuals who cannot fulfill the obligation of fasting due to illness or old age. Fidya payments are meant to feed a person in need for each of the fasting days missed.

The estimated cost, on guidance from notable scholars and shyookh, is USD $15 = GYD $3000 = TTD $120 for each day missed In addition, if the donor is from a low-income family, he or she should then care for the family’s needs first before considering giving a separate Fidya donation.

“Kaffara,” within the Islamic tradition, provides individuals who deliberately miss or break a day of fasting an opportunity to recompense for it. According to Islamic guidelines, if a person misses a day of fasting without a valid reason, he or she should either fast for 60 consecutive days or feed 60 under privileged people per day. The estimated cost is USD $15 = GYD $3000 = TTD $120 per person for 60 people, which equals USD $900 = GYD 180,000 = TTD 7,200 a day for each missed or broken day.

Beyond Ramadan, Kaffara may also be given to recompense for broken oaths or promises. In these cases, 10 underprivileged people should be fed for each occurrence. The estimated cost is USD $15 = GYD $3000 =TTD $120 per person for 10 people, which equals USD $150 = GYD $30,000 = TTD $1200 per broken promise. If the donor is from a low-income family, and cannot afford the payment, it is recommended that he or she should fast for three days, and make sure to “protect your oath,” meaning he or she should stay true to his or her word going forward.