Can I pay fidyah with money and not rice?

Allah s.w.t. has said in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 184: “And if one of you is sick, or on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew.”

Fidyah means to feed the poor. Food here refers to the staple food of the particular country. In Singapore, the staple food is rice. Muslims in Singapore who are unable to fast are hence required to pay fidyah according to 1 mud of rice for each day that they did not fast. 1 mud is the equivalent of 750 grams.

However, it is up to the individual, whether to pay with money or with staple food.

In Singapore, it might be more practical and beneficial for all parties to pay with money. The beneficiaries can buy their own food with money. Cash is also easier to be moved and stored, while rice requires more space to be stored, has an expiry date, and so on.

According to the Shafi’i Mazhab, the amount of fidyah will increase each year if the missed fasting days are not expiated in time before the following

Ramadan.