Fitrah, Fidya & Kaffarah Calculator

How Does the Fitrah, Fidya & Kaffarah Calculator Work?

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and fasting from dawn to sunset is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. However, Islam is a religion of mercy and practicality, and it recognizes that not everyone can fast every day. For those who miss fasts, Islamic jurisprudence provides clear guidelines through three distinct mechanisms: Fitrah (Sadaqatul Fitr), Fidya, and Kaffarah. Each serves a different purpose and applies in different circumstances, and this calculator helps you determine exactly what you owe.

Sadaqatul Fitr, commonly called Fitrah, is a mandatory charity that every Muslim must pay before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is obligatory on every member of the household, including children and dependents. The head of the household pays on behalf of all family members. The purpose of Fitrah is to purify the fasting person from any shortcomings during Ramadan and to provide food for those in need so they too can enjoy the celebration of Eid. The amount is typically equivalent to the cost of one meal or a set amount determined by local scholars and mosques.

Fidya is a compensation paid by someone who is unable to fast due to a valid, long-term excuse such as chronic illness, old age, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The key distinction is that Fidya applies when a person genuinely cannot fast and is not expected to make up the missed fasts later. For each missed day, the person feeds one poor person the equivalent of one meal. This is different from someone who misses fasts due to temporary illness or travel, who is expected to make up those fasts (qadha) after Ramadan.

Kaffarah is a much more significant penalty that applies when a person deliberately breaks their fast without a valid Islamic excuse. This is considered a serious matter because it violates the sanctity of Ramadan. The Kaffarah for each deliberately broken fast is to feed 60 poor people or to fast for 60 consecutive days. Most scholars calculate the monetary equivalent as feeding 60 people one meal each, which results in a substantially larger amount than Fidya. It is important to note that Kaffarah applies only to deliberate violations, not to accidental breaking of the fast or situations where fasting was not possible.

Formulas

Important Notes

• Fitrah must be paid before the Eid prayer. Paying it after the prayer reduces it to regular Sadaqah and does not fulfill the obligation.
• Fidya rates and Fitrah amounts vary by location — always check with your local mosque or Islamic center for the recommended rate in your area.
• Kaffarah is a serious obligation. If you cannot afford the monetary amount, consult a scholar about fasting 60 consecutive days as an alternative.
• This calculator provides estimates based on your inputs. Consult your local scholar for exact rates and rulings specific to your situation and school of jurisprudence.

Who Should Use This Calculator?

Every Muslim household should use this calculator to determine their Fitrah obligation before Eid. It is especially useful for heads of households who are responsible for paying Fitrah on behalf of multiple family members. Elderly Muslims or those with chronic health conditions who pay Fidya instead of fasting will find the Fidya calculation helpful for planning their total obligation. And anyone who has unfortunately broken fasts deliberately can use the Kaffarah section to understand the full scope of their required compensation.

The calculator supports multiple currencies used across the global Muslim community, making it relevant whether you are calculating in US dollars, British pounds, UAE dirhams, Saudi riyals, Bangladeshi taka, Pakistani rupees, Indian rupees, or Malaysian ringgit. Default values are provided as starting points, but you should adjust them based on local rates announced by your mosque or Islamic authority.