Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and every adult and healthy Muslim (both male and female) is subject to fasting during Ramadan. Muslims from across the world fast from dawn until sunset in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is considered a way to seek Allah’s forgiveness and get His proximity.

Fasting comes with many benefits and rewards. It teaches us that self-control begins internally. For example, we avoid eating even when we are hungry, we resist drinking even when we are thirsty, and we stay patient even when we are irritated. So, it is fasting that builds inner strength.

As well as this, fasting teaches us discipline, emotional control, builds taqwa, and increases a sense of humanity and brotherhood. Besides spiritual benefits, fasting also offers us physical well-being. For example, fasting helps us manage blood sugar levels, fight against inflammation, improve heart health, prevent cancer, and lose weight.

However, if someone breaks the fast intentionally without any serious cause, he commits a serious sin. But the beauty of Islam is that it brings potential solutions to get Allah’s forgiveness. For example, if someone breaks fast without any genuine reason, they can pay Kaffarah, which is the best practice to expiate sins. This article highlights what Kaffarah is and how to pay it to get forgiveness from Allah. So, let's begin understanding Kaffarah in Islam here:

What is Kaffarah for Breaking Fast?

Kaffarah is a payment that Muslims pay as a redemption to seek Allah’s forgiveness for the sins they committed. Kaffarah only applies when someone intentionally breaks the fast by eating, drinking, or engaging in marital relations while knowing that it is forbidden during fasting.

Remember that Kaffarah is not applicable when the fast is broken by mistake or due to illness. Kaffarah is not only about redemption, but it is also a strong reminder of how valuable fasting is in Islam.

How to Pay Kaffarah for Breaking a Fast?

Once the fast is broken intentionally, you need to pay Kaffarah. Islam has taught different conditions under which you can pay Kaffarah. Remember that if you break an obligation with intention, paying Kaffarah is mandatory, as if someone refuses to pay Kaffarah, they are doing a sinful act.

Free a Slave:

At the time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), freeing a slave was considered the first and most preferred way to pay Kaffarah. When someone deliberately broke their fast during Ramadan, they had to free a believing slave.

However, as slavery has been abolished in today's world, the option is no longer applicable. This is the reason that Islamic scholars allow people to go with other options of Kaffarah that are also allowed by Islam.

Do Fasting for 60 Consecutive Days:

If freeing a slave is not possible for you, you can go with the second option, which is to fast for sixty consecutive days. This option shows the value of fasting in Ramadan, that the gap of breaking one fast will be fulfilled by fasting 60 days without missing a single day.

During this period, if someone misses a fast without any reason, they need to restart the cycle of sixty days. This could be a strict condition, but it teaches us how important fasting is in Islam.

Feed 60 Poor People:

If someone can't fast for 60 consecutive days due to some reasons, they can go with a third option, which is to feed sixty poor people for a day. You need to find out poor and deserving people in your surroundings and feed them.

Difference Between Kaffarah and Fidya?

From the above discussion, you may have the idea of what Kaffarah is for breaking the fast and how one can pay Kaffarah. Fidya is something else which is also payable in Ramadan by those who miss their fast. For example, if someone cannot fast due to some valid reasons, they must pay Fidya for each fast they miss during Ramadan.

However, remember that missing fast without any valid reason is not an option. Islam shows this relaxation only for those who are suffering from a permanent illness or are in chronic health conditions. Besides this, those who are travelling and cannot manage fast are allowed to miss their fast. The basic rule for them is to complete their fast when they become healthy or complete their travel. Although, in severe conditions it is said to pay Fidya and not to complete the missing fast.

Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Holy Qur’an about the Fidya for missing fast:

“Fast a prescribed number of days. But whoever of you is ill or on a journey, then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramadan. For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty, compensation can be made by feeding a needy person for every day not fasted. But whoever volunteers to give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you knew.” (Surah Al-Baqarah - 184)

Give Your Donations to Sundas Foundation?

Sundas Foundation is a non-profit or non-governmental organization established to take care of poor patients. We primarily work to treat patients suffering from Thalassemia, Hemophilia, and other blood disorders. You can give your donations to Sundas Foundation this Ramadan and support poor patients or their families who cannot afford the treatment expenses. You can give your donations online or can visit our centers to pay your donations with your hands. Your donations are fairly used to manage blood supply, medications, and other equipment used to support poor patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does it become necessary to pay Kaffarah in Ramadan?

Paying Kaffarah becomes necessary when someone intentionally breaks the fast without any valid reason. In such a way, Kaffarah is considered a way to expiate your sin or gain Allah’s forgiveness. The order of paying Kaffarah also shows how important it is to fast and take care of your fast during Ramadan.

What is the basic Kaffarah for breaking fast?

The basic rule to pay Kaffarah is to free a slave or fast for sixty consecutive days. However, Islam gives relaxation to those who cannot do such acts. For those, feeding 60 poor people is also an option to pay Kaffarah and seek Allah’s forgiveness.

What if someone does not pay Kaffarah?

Remember that if someone has deliberately broken the fast, then paying Kaffarah becomes mandatory. However, if someone does not pay it, then he does a sinful act.

What is the difference between Kaffarah and Fidya?

Kaffarah becomes necessary when you deliberately break fast without any reason. However, Fidya is an obligatory charity to pay when someone cannot fast during Ramadan due to some reasons - permanent illness or travelling.

Who can get the amount of Kaffarah?

The Kaffarah of breaking fast intentionally is to free a slave or fast for sixty consecutive days. However, if someone cannot do such acts, he must feed 60 poor people. You can also give the same amount equal to meals, only to poor or needy persons.