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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I want to ask if the money of fidia can be given to others for the treatment of fatal diseases or not??? Is feeding the needy is the only option or the money can be given to needy for treatment also???

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Answer:

Fidya for treatment

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 183-184:

183    O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

184    (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent.  But he that will give more of his own free will, it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 58 Surah Mujadila Verses 3-4:

But those who divorce their wives by Zihar then wish to go back on the words they uttered (it is ordained that such a one) should free a slave before they touch each other: this are ye admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

And if any has not (the wherewithal) he should fast for two months consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so he should feed sixty indigent ones. This that ye may show your faith in Allah and His Apostle. Those are limits (set by) Allah. For those who Reject (Him) there is a grievous Penalty. 

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 89:

89      Allah will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths, but He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiation feed ten indigent persons on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them; or give a slave his freedom.  If that is beyond your means, fast for three days.  That is the expiation for the oaths ye have sworn.  But keep to your oaths.  Thus doth Allah make clear to you His Signs that ye may be grateful.

A 'fidya' in Shariah for one or more people is offerred for missing a fast, or breaking an oath, or having conjugal relations with one's wife while fasting, or divorcing one's wife through 'Zihaar', or killing a land based animal while in the state of 'ehram' for pilgrimage, or as a form of atonement for unintentionally killing a person, etc. 

When one intends to offer a 'fidya' for violating any of the prescribed boundaries listed above where the atonement is 'feeding the poor' (one or more), then one must fulfill the conditions of the 'fidya' as prescribed in Shariah Law by feeding the required number of indigents. 

In addition to 'fidya', if one wishes to help their believing brethren and bear the cost of their treatment, they are obviously well within their rights to do so. 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

Members of Islamhelpline