Kaffarah for Breaking Fast: Rules, 60-Day Fast and Fidyah Explained

Kaffarah for Breaking Fast: What Must You Do?

Kaffarah for breaking a fast is a serious form of expiation that may become obligatory when an adult Muslim deliberately invalidates a valid Ramadan fast without an Islamically acceptable excuse.

Depending on how the fast was broken and which school of Islamic law a person follows, the individual may need to:

• Repent sincerely to Allah
• Make up the missed fast through qada
• Complete the prescribed kaffarah

The traditional kaffarah for deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast is:

1. Freeing an enslaved person; if that is not possible,
2. Fasting for two consecutive lunar months—commonly described as 60 consecutive days; if the person is genuinely unable to do this,
3. Feeding 60 poor people.

In the modern world, the first option is generally unavailable. Therefore, under the Hanafi, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, an eligible person normally proceeds to the 60-day fast.

Feeding 60 poor people is not simply a more convenient alternative. It generally applies when the person is genuinely unable to complete the consecutive fast. The Maliki school differs in important details, including allowing a choice between the recognised forms of expiation.

Because the ruling can change according to the act, intention, health, circumstances and school of law followed, anyone who believes kaffarah may be due should speak privately to a qualified Islamic scholar.

What Does Kaffarah Mean?

Kaffarah means expiation: a prescribed act of worship performed to atone for certain serious violations of Islamic law.

In relation to Ramadan, kaffarah may be required when a person knowingly and deliberately breaks a valid obligatory fast without a valid Islamic excuse.

Kaffarah is not a price paid to make a prohibited action permissible, nor does it replace sincere repentance. A Muslim who deliberately breaks an obligatory fast should:

• Stop the sinful action
• Sincerely regret what happened
• Ask Allah for forgiveness
• Resolve not to repeat the action
• Make up the invalidated fast if qada is required
• Complete kaffarah when the relevant Islamic ruling requires it

Allah says that anyone who is ill or travelling may complete the missed days later. Allah also reminds believers that He intends ease for them and does not intend hardship.

When Is Kaffarah Required for Breaking a Fast?

All four Sunni schools agree that kaffarah is required when a person knowingly and deliberately has marital intercourse during the daytime of Ramadan while observing a valid fast, provided all the legal conditions are met.

The person must also repent sincerely and make up the invalidated Ramadan fast.

This ruling is based on the well-known hadith of a man who told Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he had intercourse with his wife while fasting during Ramadan.

The Prophet ﷺ instructed him to:

1. Free an enslaved person
2. If unable, fast for two consecutive months
3. If unable, feed 60 poor people

This narration is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 1937 and Sahih Muslim 1111.

Does intentionally eating or drinking require kaffarah?

There is a recognised difference of opinion among the four schools of Islamic law.

• Hanafi and Maliki schools: Deliberately eating or drinking during a valid Ramadan fast without an acceptable excuse can require both qada and kaffarah when the relevant conditions are satisfied.
• Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools: Deliberately eating or drinking requires sincere repentance and qada, but the major kaffarah is generally restricted to marital intercourse during a Ramadan fast.

This difference is one reason an online article cannot determine every personal case.

A qualified scholar may need to ask:

• What exactly happened?
• Had a valid Ramadan fast already begun?
• Was the action deliberate?
• Did the person know that it would break the fast?
• Was there illness, coercion or genuine necessity?
• Which school of Islamic law does the person follow?

What Is the Kaffarah for Breaking a Ramadan Fast?

1. Freeing an enslaved person

Freeing an enslaved person is the first form of kaffarah mentioned in the prophetic narration.

As this option is generally unavailable in the modern world, people ordinarily proceed to the next applicable stage according to the school of Islamic law they follow.

2. Fasting for 60 consecutive days

For those following the sequential order of kaffarah, a person who is physically able must fast for two consecutive lunar months. This is commonly explained as 60 consecutive days of fasting.

The fasts must be consecutive. If the sequence is broken without a legally valid reason, the person may have to restart the 60-day kaffarah from the beginning.

Women will naturally be unable to fast during menstruation. The detailed rules concerning menstruation and other unavoidable interruptions should be confirmed with a qualified scholar before beginning the kaffarah.

A suitable starting date should also be selected so that the kaffarah is not interrupted by:

• Ramadan
• Eid al-Fitr
• Eid al-Adha
• Other days on which fasting is prohibited

The original Ramadan fast that was invalidated must still be made up separately.

This is why people sometimes describe the obligation as 61 fasts:

• One qada fast for the invalidated Ramadan day
• 60 consecutive kaffarah fasts

However, the qada fast is a separate obligation. It does not turn the kaffarah itself into a 61-day consecutive fast.

3. Feeding 60 poor people

If a person is genuinely unable to complete the consecutive fast because of a reliable and lasting reason such as serious chronic illness, frailty or old age the next applicable option may be to feed 60 poor people.

The following details can differ between the schools of Islamic law:

• The required quantity of food
• Whether the monetary value of the food may be given
• Who qualifies as poor or needy
• Whether one person may be fed over multiple days
• How the food or payment must be distributed

Do not select a convenient online figure without confirming that the calculation and distribution meet the Islamic requirements you follow.

A trusted mosque, qualified scholar or reputable Islamic charity can help determine the correct amount in your country.

If a qualified scholar confirms that feeding or payment applies to your circumstances, visit our Fidya and Kaffara page for further information and to make your contribution.

Kaffarah, Qada and Fidyah: What Is the Difference?

Kaffarah, qada and fidyah are often confused, but they refer to different Islamic obligations.

Term	Meaning	Common example
Qada	Making up a missed or invalidated fast on another day	A traveller misses a Ramadan fast and completes it later
Fidyah	Compensation for someone who cannot fast now or in the foreseeable future	A frail elderly person or someone with a permanent chronic condition feeds a poor person for each missed fast
Kaffarah	Major expiation for a serious and deliberate violation of a Ramadan fast	A person knowingly invalidates a valid Ramadan fast in a way that triggers kaffarah under their school of law

Someone who is temporarily ill, travelling, menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding may have a valid reason not to fast, depending on their circumstances.

Such a person will generally make up the missed fast later when they are able. The detailed rulings concerning pregnancy and breastfeeding differ between the Islamic schools.

Fidyah is generally intended for someone whose inability to fast is permanent or is not expected to end, although the detailed conditions differ between the schools.

Kaffarah should not be confused with fidyah. Feeding one poor person for a legitimately missed fast is not the same as feeding 60 poor people as kaffarah.

When Kaffarah Is Generally Not Required

Major kaffarah is generally not required in the following situations, although qada or another obligation may still apply.

Eating or drinking forgetfully

A person who genuinely forgets that they are fasting and eats or drinks should stop as soon as they remember and continue the fast.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that whoever forgetfully eats or drinks should complete the fast because Allah has fed them and given them drink.

Illness or genuine medical danger

A person who is ill or reasonably fears significant harm may be permitted to break the fast and make it up later.

If a person has a medical condition, they should seek appropriate medical advice alongside guidance from a qualified Islamic scholar.

Travelling

A qualifying traveller may use the Islamic concession not to fast during Ramadan. The missed fast must normally be completed later through qada.

Menstruation or postnatal bleeding

Women do not observe the fast during menstruation or postnatal bleeding. The missed Ramadan fasts must be made up later, but major kaffarah is not required.

A genuine mistake about dawn or sunset

A person might eat because they honestly believe that dawn has not yet arrived or break the fast because they mistakenly believe that the sun has set.

The detailed ruling depends on the exact circumstances and may require qada. However, it is not automatically treated as a deliberate violation requiring kaffarah.

Breaking a qada or voluntary fast

The major kaffarah associated with deliberately breaking a Ramadan fast does not ordinarily apply to a broken qada or voluntary fast.

However, whether that fast must be made up can differ between the schools of Islamic law.

If a person becomes seriously unwell while fasting, protecting life and health takes priority. They should break the fast if continuing would cause genuine harm and then ask a qualified scholar what must be completed later.

Does One Broken Fast Mean 60 Days of Kaffarah?

Not every missed or broken fast creates a 60-day kaffarah obligation.

The ruling depends on:

• Whether it was a Ramadan fast
• Whether a valid fast had already begun
• How the fast was invalidated
• Whether the action was deliberate
• Whether there was a valid Islamic excuse
• Which school of Islamic law the person follows

Where kaffarah is established and the person is physically able to fast, the prescribed expiation is two consecutive lunar months, commonly described as 60 consecutive days.

The person must also complete qada for the original invalidated Ramadan fast.

For several deliberately broken fasts, the number of kaffarahs required is an area of detailed scholarly disagreement.

The answer can depend on:

• Whether the fasts were broken during the same Ramadan
• Whether they were broken during different Ramadans
• How each fast was broken
• Whether an earlier kaffarah had already been completed
• Which Islamic school the person follows

A person should list the dates and circumstances as accurately as possible and consult a qualified scholar instead of automatically multiplying an online donation amount.

Can You Pay Money Instead of Fasting for 60 Days?

Under the sequential kaffarah followed by the Hanafi, Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, a healthy person who is genuinely able to complete the consecutive fast cannot normally replace it with a payment simply because paying would be easier.

Feeding 60 poor people becomes applicable when the person is genuinely unable to fast for the required period.

A demanding work schedule, inconvenient timing or personal preference is not automatically considered a genuine inability to fast. The individual should consult a scholar if uncertain.

The Maliki school follows a different structure and permits a choice between recognised forms of kaffarah, subject to further conditions. Anyone following Maliki fiqh should seek guidance from a qualified Maliki scholar.

If feeding is confirmed as the correct obligation, a trustworthy organisation may distribute the food or its permitted monetary value on the person’s behalf.

The donor remains responsible for ensuring that the chosen method satisfies the applicable Islamic requirements.

How to Complete the 60-Day Kaffarah Fast

If a qualified scholar confirms that a consecutive kaffarah fast is required, the following preparation may help:

1. Confirm the ruling with a qualified scholar.
2. Check with a medical professional if there are health concerns.
3. Select dates that will not overlap with Ramadan or either Eid.
4. Make the required intention according to the school of law followed.
5. Fast every day consecutively for two lunar months or the number of days directed.
6. Avoid unnecessary journeys or commitments that could disrupt the fast.
7. If an interruption occurs, ask a scholar whether the sequence may continue or must restart.
8. Complete the separate qada fast for the invalidated Ramadan day.

Kaffarah should be approached with sincerity rather than despair. Its purpose is repentance, spiritual repair and renewed obedience to Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kaffarah for Breaking Fast

What happens if I accidentally break my fast?

An unintentional mistake is not treated in the same way as knowingly and deliberately breaking a fast.

The ruling depends on the exact mistake. Forgetfully eating or drinking does not invalidate the fast. The person should stop as soon as they remember and continue fasting.

Do I need kaffarah if I broke my fast because I was ill?

A person who breaks the fast because of genuine illness or a reasonable fear of harm does not normally owe major kaffarah.

They will usually make up the missed day later when able. If the inability to fast is permanent, fidyah may apply instead.

Is missing suhoor a valid reason to break the fast?

No. Suhoor is a blessed Sunnah, but missing it does not by itself permit someone to abandon or break an obligatory Ramadan fast.

If a genuine health danger develops later in the day, that situation must be assessed separately.

Is kaffarah required for deliberately drinking water?

According to the Hanafi and Maliki schools, deliberately drinking water during a valid Ramadan fast can require qada and kaffarah when all the relevant conditions are present.

According to the Shafi‘i and Hanbali schools, it generally requires sincere repentance and qada rather than major kaffarah.

A qualified scholar should be consulted to determine which ruling applies.

Is kaffarah required for marital intercourse during Ramadan?

All four Sunni schools recognise major kaffarah for deliberate marital intercourse during the daytime of Ramadan while a valid fast is being observed, subject to their detailed legal conditions.

Qada and sincere repentance are also required.

Must the 60 kaffarah fasts be consecutive?

Yes. When the fasting form of kaffarah applies, it must be completed consecutively.

The rules concerning unavoidable interruptions differ in detail, so guidance should be obtained before beginning.

How much is kaffarah for one broken fast?

There is no single permanent cash figure.

Where feeding 60 poor people is the correct option, the amount depends on:

• The required food measurement
• Local food costs
• The method of distribution
• The school of Islamic law followed

Confirm the current amount with a trusted scholar or reputable Islamic charity.

Does paying kaffarah remove the need for repentance?

No. Kaffarah is a legal and devotional obligation, while tawbah means sincerely repenting to Allah.

A person must repent even after completing qada and kaffarah.

Can qada and kaffarah be combined in one fast?

No. The qada fast replaces the invalidated Ramadan fast, while the consecutive kaffarah fast is a separate obligation.

Can someone else pay my kaffarah?

If feeding 60 poor people has been confirmed as the applicable form of kaffarah, another person may generally help fund the payment or an organisation may distribute it on the individual’s behalf.

However, the necessary intention and specific distribution requirements should be confirmed with a qualified scholar.

When should kaffarah be completed?

Kaffarah should be completed as soon as reasonably possible after sincere repentance and confirmation that it is required.

A person should not delay it unnecessarily. However, they should first confirm the correct ruling, especially if they have health concerns or several invalidated fasts.

Final Guidance

The ruling on kaffarah for breaking fast is not identical in every situation.

Deliberate marital intercourse during a valid Ramadan fast requires major kaffarah under all four Sunni schools when the necessary conditions exist.

Deliberate eating or drinking also requires kaffarah under Hanafi and Maliki law when the relevant conditions are satisfied. Shafi‘i and Hanbali jurists generally require repentance and qada rather than major kaffarah for deliberately eating or drinking.

Do not assume that illness, travel, forgetfulness or an honest mistake requires a 60-day fast.

Equally, do not assume that a required 60-day kaffarah can automatically be replaced by a donation.

Write down exactly what happened and consult a trusted, qualified scholar who understands the school of Islamic law you follow.

Allah is Most Merciful and accepts sincere repentance. A past mistake should lead a believer back to Allah through honesty, responsibility and hope—not despair.

If a scholar confirms that fidyah or kaffarah payment applies to you, please visit our Fidyah and Kaffarah page.

Important: This article provides general educational information and is not a personal fatwa. Individual rulings depend on the specific circumstances and the school of Islamic law followed.