Fidya is an Arabic word (فدية) that means atonement. During Hajj or Umrah, several rituals need to be performed. If any of these rituals are missed or performed incorrectly, fidya is required. Giving fidya is obligatory. It should not be seen as a punishment but rather as a means to renew and rectify your commitment to pilgrimage and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
What errors require fidya?
Violating any prohibitions of ihram will require fidya, such as using perfume or cutting hair.
Failure to fulfill any wajib act of Umrah or Hajj will require fidya, such as not entering ihram from the miqat.
Violating the sanctity of the Haram will require fidya, such as killing an animal within its boundaries.
How is fidya given?
Some forms of fidya are optional. For actions like shaving the head, using perfume, cutting nails, covering the head, or wearing stitched clothing for men, fidya can be given in one of the following ways: fasting for three days, feeding six needy people, or sacrificing a goat. For feeding, each needy person must receive 1.20 kg of food. If an animal is hunted, an equivalent four-footed animal must be sacrificed. If no such animal is available, its monetary value must be given as fidya.
For those performing tamattu or qiran, it is mandatory to sacrifice a goat. If sexual intercourse occurs, the fidya is a camel. If unable to afford it, three days of fasting during Hajj and seven days upon returning home must be observed. The fidya in the form of a goat or food can only be given to the needy within the Haram (Kaaba).
What type of animal is used for fidya?
Badana – A large sacrificial animal, such as a camel or cow (usually divided into seven shares).
Dam – A smaller sacrificial animal, such as a sheep or goat (or the value of one-seventh of a large animal if shared).
Sadaqah—charity given to the poor and needy.
Rules and restrictions for Fidya
It is not appropriate to purposefully use fidya in place of the required Hajj or Umrah. While prompt payment is not required, it must be made as soon as possible. You have to finish it before you die. It is not necessary to complete the Hajj during the Tashreeq days, which are from the 10th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah. The animal sacrifice must be performed inside the Haram’s borders. The animal must be devoid of any physical flaws and be of the appropriate age. If you let it, someone else can pay the fidya on your behalf. The impoverished must receive the meat. You can’t consume the meat yourself, and you shouldn’t give it to the rich.
