Who Must Pay Fidyah? The Ruling, Timing, and How to Pay
As Muslims discuss the fasting chapter, the fidyah matter is not to be overlooked. It becomes increasingly important as Ramadan—the month of fasting for a full month—approaches. Drawing from the Taudhihul Adillah 5 of KH M Syafi’i Hadzami, fidyah is something given from a specific wealth, by a certain path, to a certain recipient, as a substitute for the reclaimed item. Usually fidyah takes the form of staple foods.
In Islamic jurisprudence, several groups are obligated to pay fidyah. Who are they and when should fidyah be paid? See the full discussion below.
Key points:
The groups who do not fast Ramadan and are obliged to pay fidyah include the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, and the sick for whom recovery is unlikely.
Fidyah may be paid at the beginning, middle, or end of Ramadan.
Fidyah can be paid in the form of raw staple food, such as rice, in accordance with the amount. It can also be in the form of prepared food. One portion per day of fasting missed.
Who Must Pay Fidyah? The Ruling
As detikers know, the default ruling is that fasting in Ramadan is obligatory. However, there are groups granted concession by Allah to refrain from it. In their substitute, they are required to pay fidyah. The list is as follows:
- The Elderly
According to the explanation in the book Panduan Lengkap Puasa Ramadhan Menurut Al-Qur’an dan Sunnah by Abu Ubaidah Yusuf bin Mukhtar as-Sidawi and Abu Abdillah Syahrul Fatwa bin Lukman, the elderly are obliged to pay fidyah when they are no longer able to fast Ramadan. The Qur’anic ground is: [Arabic text] meaning: “…For those who are unable to fast, there is fidyah, namely feeding a poor person…” (QS al-Baqarah: 184). Ibn Abbas reported: “Men and women who are old and have difficulty fasting should break the fast and feed a poor person for each day.” (HR Bukhari no 4505)
- Pregnant and Nursing Women
Pregnant and nursing women may refrain from fasting. However, whether they must pay fidyah is debated among scholars. From Fiqih Ibadah by Ahmad Fatoni, the first opinion says pregnant/nursing women are only required to replace the missed fast (qadha) without fidyah. The second opinion, followed by Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbas, says fidyah suffices without replacing the fast. A third opinion holds that pregnant/nursing women are obliged to perform qadha plus pay fidyah, as followed by Imam al-Shafi’i. Allah knows best.
- The Sick Whose Recovery Is Difficult
Another group allowed not to fast Ramadan are the sick, provided their illness is not expected to heal. In such cases, the sick person is regarded as someone who cannot fast.
- Those Who Do Not Yet Repay Their Ramadan Debts
Those who owe Ramadan fasts but do not settle the debt by the next Ramadan, according to one opinion, are obliged to fidyah. This view is followed by Shafi’i, Malikite, and Hanbali scholars.
Meanwhile, according to the Hanafi school, a person who is late in repaying their fasting debt is not obliged to pay fidyah, only qadha suffices. The Hanafi scholars argue using Allah’s words that do not specify fidyah obligations. Allah knows best.
- The Deceased Who Still Had Fasting Debt
According to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Lampung, a person who left fasting without an excuse or due to an excuse, but who had time to qadha and then died before paying, the heirs may pay fidyah. Heirs can choose two options: pay fidyah or fast for the deceased. This applies if the deceased’s estate can cover fidyah. If not, heirs are not obliged to replace the fasting nor pay fidyah. The ruling becomes sunnah.
Waktu Membayar Fidyah
Ustadz Ammi Nur Baits in Kumpulan Artikel Sya’ban dan Ramadhan describes fidyah payment as flexible. A person obligated to fidyah may pay it daily or postpone to the end of Ramadan.
The proof for paying at the end of Ramadan is the hadith of Anas bin Malik: “From Anas bin Malik, that when he could not fast for a year, he made dough and invited thirty poor people, and fed them all.” The Saudi Fatwas: Lajnah ad-Da’imah say similar: “It is permissible to pay fidyah to one or more poor at the start, middle or end of Ramadan” (Fatawa al-Lajnah ad-Daimah, 6/380 no 15268 and 9/128 no 17029)
Cara Membayar Fidyah Puasa
From Sofyan Chalid bin Idham Ruray’s Fiqh Puasa, there are two ways to pay fidyah:
- Distribute raw staple foods to the poor. For each day of fasting missed, fidyah is the staple food.