Step by step

What to do when you cannot fast

Illness, old age, pregnancy, travel: who is excused and what to do instead.

1
If you are ill
If fasting would harm you or slow your recovery, you may miss the fast and make it up when you are well.
2
If you are travelling
A traveller may miss the fast and make it up later. Fasting is better if it is not hard.
3
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you fear harm to yourself or the baby, you may miss the fast and make it up later. In the Hanafi school no fidya is due.
4
If you can never fast
If old age or a lasting illness means you will never be able to fast, pay fidya for each missed day: the same amount as sadaqat al-fitr, given to a poor person.
5
Make up as soon as you can
Make up missed fasts before the next Ramadan if you can. You may make them up on separate days.

Questions

Common questions

How much is fidya per day?

The same as sadaqat al-fitr: about 1.75 kg of wheat or its value, or about 3.5 kg of dates, barley or raisins or their value.

I recovered and then could fast again. What happens to the fidya I paid?

If an elderly or ill person who paid fidya later becomes able to fast, they must make up the fasts; the fidya counts as charity.

Can I pay fidya because fasting is hard?

No. Fidya is only for someone who will never be able to fast. Hardship alone does not change the fast into fidya.

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