Sayyiduna Sahl Radhiyallahu Anhu narrated that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said,
“There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”
(Bukhari)
Question and Answer:
Q. I have over 12 months of qaza fasts due. I don’t think I can keep them. Can I pay fidya or kaffarah?
(Question published as received)
A. Fidyah for fasts is only permitted if one is permanently unable to fast.
If a person is still able to fast, Fidya will not suffice.
If you are permanently unable to fast then only you may give Fidyah. The current amount for the KZN region is R20 per fast. If you are able to fast then you will have to work towards keeping the Qadha of those fasts.
Create a schedule for a set amount of days in every month which you will devote to fasting and work from there. Even if it takes a few years, Insha Allah you will be able to keep the Qadha fasts.
Can Fidyah be given before Ramadaan?
Nasihah (Advice): Honouring the elderly
Sayyiduna Anas Bin Maalik Radhiyallahu Anhu says that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “If a young man honours an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show honour to him in his old age.” (Tirmidhi)
Question and Answer:
Can the Fidyah amount for the fasts which an old person cannot keep in Ramadaan be given before Ramadaan starts? Who can it be given to?
(Question published as received)
A: The Fidyah amount cannot be discharged before the commencement of Ramadhaan.The Fidyah amount may only be discharged after the commencement of Ramadhaan. (Khairul Fataawa 4/89)
Fidya is given for those who cannot fast and cannot keep qadha in the future because of eg terminal illness, very old age etc i.e no hope of recovery.
The recipients of Fidyah are the same as the recipients of Zakaat. Hence, all the conditions related to the discharging of Zakaat to Zakaat recipients also apply to the recipients of Fidyah, for e.g. the Fidyah amount has to be given to poor and needy Muslims and not non-Muslims. (Shaami 2/369)
N.B The Fidyah amount in KZN for 2021 is R20.00
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
223 Alpine Road, Overport
Durban, South Africa
Tel : +27 (0) 31 2077099
Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
Fax : +27(0) 31 2074163
Website : www.jamiat.org.za




