I want to know about the "Fidia" (in Dirhams, or Dollars)
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa
Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked
this question:
Dear
Burhan Bhai.
I want
to know about the "Fidia" (in Dirhams, or Dollars) if a woman is
pregnant and cannot keep the fast. please i want to know. if we cannot find a
needy whom we can serve food, then where, and how much to give money.
thanks
Ahmed
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Answer:
Kaffarah atone missed fasts
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask
for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever
He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that
Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Your Question: I
want to know about the "Fidia" (in Dirhams, or Dollars) if a woman is
pregnant and cannot keep the fast.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah
Baqarah verse 185:
185 Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent
down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and
judgment (between right and wrong). So
everyone of you who is present (or witnesses) the month should spend it in
fasting but if anyone is ill or on a journey the prescribed period
(should be made up) by days later.
Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to
difficulties. (He wants you) to complete
the prescribed period and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and
perchance ye shall be grateful.
If one is genuinely ill, or fears that fasting would
aggravate his illness, of if one is pregnant and fears that fasting may effect
the health of the mother or the unborn in any way, etc.; one has been given the
option by the Lord Most Merciful that the believer may leave the fast/s and
make up the missed fasts at a later date/s of their convenience.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah
Baqarah verse 184:
184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on
a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For
those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is
indigent. But he that will give
more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye
fast if ye only knew.
If one is indulged in a permanent or terminal form of
illness and has absolutely no hope of recovering from that illness whereby one
is unable to even make up the missed fasts at a later date….then the atonement
for such terminally ill believers is the feeding of (at least) one poor
indigent person for each fast missed.
This form of atonement of feeding (at least) one poor person for each
fast missed is only for those who are terminally ill and have no hope of
recovery, and not for the temporarily ill….for the temporarily ill (pregnant
woman, etc.), they are not eligible to atone their missed fasts by feeding the
poor, but they have to make up their missed fasts by fasting on other days of
their convenience.
Your Question:
please i want to know. if we cannot find a needy whom we can serve food, then
where, and how much to give money.
We reiterate again brother, that one who is temporarily
ill due to pregnancy does not have the option in Shariah to atone for their
missed fasts by feeding the poor; but they will have to make up their missed
fasts at a later date.
But only for knowledge, if one is permanently or
terminally ill, and has absolutely no hope of recovering from their illness to
the extent that they will not even be able to make up their fast on other
days….. Any Islamic Centre or Society or
the ‘imam’ of your local mosque would be able to guide one regarding the
brothers and sisters who are involved in feeding the poor. One who is terminally ill and wishes to atone
for their missed fasts by feeding the poor, must inform these brothers and
sisters that the amount they are giving them is for the atonement of their
missed fasts; and they would do the needful Insha Allah.
Your Question: and
how much to give money
There is no prescribed amount in Shariah to feed the poor
as obviously the feeding of someone in
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to
Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only
Source of Strength.
Your brother and well
wisher in Islam,
Burhan
Wister