If you didn’t fast last Ramadan because you were pregnant or breastfeeding, you have a choice to make — and it depends on your madhhab, your health, and your intention at the time. This guide walks you through the two Islamic obligations most often mixed up: qada’ (making up missed fasts) and fidyah (feeding a needy person in lieu of a missed fast).
What is qada’?
Qada’ is the religious duty to make up a missed Ramadan fast at a later date. For a pregnant or breastfeeding mother who took the exemption, the default position across all four madhhabs is that she fasts those days once she is medically able — ideally before the following Ramadan.
فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
“Then the same number of days from other days.” — Qur’an 2:184
What is fidyah?
Fidyah is a compensation — feeding one needy person for each fast missed — given when a person is permanently unable to make up the fast, or in certain madhhabs when a pregnant/breastfeeding mother fears for her child.
Which do I owe? The four madhhabs summarised
- Hanafi: Qada’ only. No fidyah for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Maliki: A pregnant woman owes qada’ only. A breastfeeding woman who feared for her child also owes fidyah.
- Shafi‘i: If the fear was for yourself only — qada’ only. If the fear was for the child alone or for you and the child together — qada’ plus fidyah.
- Hanbali: Near-identical to the Shafi‘i position.
A small number of contemporary scholars (e.g. Ibn ‘Abbas ʬ• in a narration, and some European councils) hold that a mother who cannot reasonably ever make up the fasts — perhaps because of back-to-back pregnancies and breastfeeding — may pay fidyah only. If that is your situation, speak to a trusted scholar.
How much is fidyah in 2026?
The classical measure is one mudd (~0.75 kg) of the local staple per missed day, or its monetary equivalent. In the UK, the widely-accepted 2026 figure from mainstream charities (Islamic Relief, Muslim Hands, your national zakat board) is a fixed amount per fast missed (varies by region). In the US it is commonly $10–$15, and in Pakistan/India/Bangladesh local zakat boards publish annual figures you can follow.
So: 30 days missed × £5 = £150 total in many countries as a typical guide. Confirm the current year’s figure with your local masjid or a reputable charity before you pay.
A step-by-step plan for making up fasts after birth
- Write down exactly how many days you missed. Don’t estimate — guessing too high adds burden; guessing too low risks shortfall.
- Get medical clearance. Postpartum nifas ends when bleeding stops (up to 40 days). Breastfeeding mothers should still check with their doctor before fasting.
- Start with easy days. Short winter days, weekends at home, days your baby feeds less.
- Pair with Mondays and Thursdays to combine Sunnah fasts with qada’ niyyah (some scholars permit combined intention).
- Track your progress. Sakina’s fasting tracker logs each day you complete, so you can see the count down to zero.
- Pay fidyah if applicable. Only if your madhhab or your scholar advises it.
What if I can’t make them up before the next Ramadan?
The Hanafi position: no penalty for delay. The Shafi‘i/Hanbali position: if you delayed without a valid reason, one mudd of food per day is added on top of the qada’. Continuous pregnancy and breastfeeding is a valid reason in the majority view.
Niyyah: intending the fast
For each qada’ fast, make a specific niyyah the night before: “I intend to make up a fast of Ramadan from [year] for the sake of Allah.” If you’re also intending a Sunnah Monday/Thursday fast, the scholars who permit combined intention allow both rewards in one fast.
Related guides
- Can pregnant women fast in Ramadan?
- Fasting during Ramadan while pregnant — the full guide
- Suhoor & iftar meal plans for pregnancy
Fidyah amounts change annually. Always confirm with a reputable local charity and your own scholar before paying. Sakina tracks your fasting count and reminds you when you’re due — download here.