Repay or Feed? Navigating the Rulings of Fasting

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Final success is for the righteous, and there is no aggression except against the wrongdoers. As-Salaamualaikum Wa Rah'matullahi Wa Barakaat'u! Qadaa and Fidya in Fasting: Who Must Repay and Who Must Feed Fasting is an obligation tied to ability. When a Muslim misses fasts due to a valid Shar‘i reason, the Lawgiver does not leave the matter unclear. The rulings of “Qadaa” and “Fidya” define how missed fasts are corrected. This is not optional worship; it is a legal responsibility based on clear textual proof. This article explains who must make up fasts, who must feed, and when each ruling applies. Definition of Qadaa and Fidya Qadaa : Making up missed obligatory fasts by fasting the same number of days later. Fidya : Feeding one poor person for each missed day when fasting is permanently impossible. Both are acts of worship and must be done with the correct intention. Who Must Perform Qadaa (Repayment) Qadaa is required for anyone who missed Ramadan fasts due to a temporary, valid excuse. 1. The Sick with Expected Recovery If a person breaks the fast due to illness and recovery is expected, Qadaa is required after recovery. Allah says: “Whoever is sick or on a journey, then an equal number of other days.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:185) Condition: The illness must be real and recognized, not minor discomfort. 2. The Traveler A traveler who breaks the fast must make up for the missed days later. Even if the journey was easy, repayment remains obligatory based on the verse above. 3. Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding Women who miss fasts due to menstruation or postnatal bleeding must perform Qadaa only. Aisha said: “We were ordered to make up the fasts and not ordered to make up the prayers.” (Sahih al Bukhari 321, Sahih Muslim 335). 4. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman breaks her fast due to fear of harm, she must perform Qadaa. If the fear was for herself, Qadaa is required. If the fear was for the child, Scholars differed. Many Salaf scholars held Qadaa plus feeding, while others held Qadaa only. The Cautious Position: Perform Qadaa, and provide feeding (if financially able) if the break was specifically for the child’s safety. When Fidya Is Required Instead of Qadaa Fidya replaces fasting when the person has a “ permanent ” inability to fast. 1. Chronic Illness: A person with a permanent illness with no expected recovery does not fast and does not perform Qadaa. Instead, Fidya is given. This is based on the explanation of Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) regarding those unable to fast due to permanent weakness *(Sahih al Bukhari, 2:184)*. 2. Old Age : An elderly person who cannot fast and has no ability to make it up later gives Fidya per missed day. Amount of Fidya: For each missed day, one poor person is fed. This can be one average meal or staple food equal to a meal portion. Delaying the Qadaa Qadaa should be completed before the next Ramadan. If a person delays without a valid excuse until the next Ramadan enters: Qadaa is still required. Many scholars also require feeding one poor person per day as a penalty for the delay. If the delay was due to a continuous valid excuse, only Qadaa is required. Important Legal Principles Intention: Required for both Qadaa and Fidya. Specifics: Qadaa fasts must be counted and specific in intention. Financial Inability: Lack of funds removes the Fidya obligation until the ability to pay exists. Reflect Before Acting Do you know which missed fasts require repayment?  Do you know which one requires feeding?  Are you delaying repayment without a valid cause? Acts of worship are corrected through knowledge, not assumption. In the next article, in shaa Allah, we will move to the Adab of fasting. We will cover the manners, inner discipline, and prophetic guidance that protect the reward of your fast and raise its acceptance. Prepare yourself to examine not only how you fast, but how you behave while fasting. If you have any feedback, send us an email (T&Cs apply): support@nurquest.com   May Allah grant us correct understanding, sincere action, and accepted worship.