Fidya

If one does not fast some days during Ramadan, it is obligatory to make up these missed fasts before the next Ramadan arrives — regardless of whether the fasts were missed with a valid excuse (travel, sickness, etc.) or without one.

If one is not able to fast, or does not make up for the missed days before the next Ramadan, due to long-term or chronic illness, one must pay a compensation (Fidya) by feeding a poor person for every day of fasting not observed.

The Social & Welfare Committee has started a program called Fidya. Under this program, the Social & Welfare Committee collects money toward Fidya and distributes it among those qualified to receive Zakat (the poor and needy) in the local community, in the form of dry rations.

The price for Fidya changes each year and is determined by IAR each Ramadan based on the cost of rations. For those who would like to take advantage of this service, envelopes marked “Fidya,” with the amount that needs to be paid for each missed fast, are kept outside the donation box in the lobby of the main IAR building. Please deposit the envelope in the donation box.