Ladies and Gentlemen, I have a simple question, the answer to which I thought I knew but need some clarfication now that someone confused me completely!
If we are to fly from West Coast to East Coast let’s say, during ramadan, and we choose to keep the fast, do we break the fast at the iftaar time at our point of destination, and is it even allowed to fast during travel or does the roza become makrooh?
Please help.
Roza is from Dawn to Dusk , so I was in such a situation when I traveled from East Cost to West Cost and I was couple of hours before their iftar time so I waited to break my fast. I did not want skip that roza and make it up some other day after Ramazan.
As for answer to second part the following is a complete and comprehensive answer.
Question:* If I am fasting during the day in Ramadan and I find that I need to travel on that day, should I fast or break my fast? Can I break my fast while I am still at home once I have a firm intention to travel? *
Answered by Sheikh Salman al-Oadah
There are three possible circumstances that might apply to a traveler in Ramadan:
The first is for a person to be on a journey when the month of Ramadan starts. Scholars agree that such a person has the right to refrain from fasting as long as he is traveling.
The second circumstance is for a person to be a resident at the start of the month of Ramadan and then embark on a journey during the month at night. He is permitted to refrain from fasting on the following day as long as he is still on a journey when morning arrives. This is the opinion of the vast majority of scholars from the Companions, the Successors, and the jurists, including the scholars of the four schools of thought.
The third circumstance is where a person who is fasting during the day embarks on a journey in the daytime, either before noon or after it. In this situation, scholars are divided between two opinions:
Allah says: “But if anyone is ill or on a journey, then (let him fast the same) number of other days.” Sûrah al-Baqarah: 185]
A person who starts traveling during the day is indeed on a journey, so the verse is applicable to him.
Also, there is the hadîth related by Jâbir that the Prophet (peace be upon him) broke his fast.
î, Abû Hanîfah, Mâlik, and al-Shâfiî.They argue that the person’s initial residency is the predominant consideration. During that day, both residency and travel have taken place, so the person’s initial residency and the prohibition of breaking the fast for a resident are the considerations that must be given priority. Therefore, he must complete his fast.
They also argue that he has entered into an obligatory act of worship with the intention to carry it out; therefore it is impermissible for him to break his fast just as it would be impermissible for him to break off an obligatory prayer after he has begun to offer it.
The first of these two opinions – that it is permissible for a traveler who starts his journey during the day to break his fast – is the strongest. It is more in conformity with the fact that permission not to fast is a concession for the traveler.
However, the person should not break his fast until he has at least departed from the area of habitation where he was residing, meaning that he should depart from its populated area and its buildings.
It is related that Anas b. Mâlik broke his fast while still at his city of residence because he intended to travel. The same is related about al-Hasan al-Basrî. However, this opinion is weak for a number of reasons:
Allah says: “But if anyone is ill or on a journey…” Scholars of the Arabic language tell us that the phrase “on a journey” implies actually being upon one’s means of conveyance. The verse does not just describe the person as a “traveler”. A person at his home who intends to travel that day cannot be described as having gotten upon his means of conveyance.
Allah says: “Whoever among you is present during the month should fast it.” Sûrah al-Baqarah: 185]
This person, being a resident, comes under this description of being “present during the month”, so he must fast.
The concession not to fast is tied in with the act of travel itself, and not with the person’s intention.
If a person can break his fast simply because he intends to travel, it can lead to a situation of frivolity and confusion. Someone can break his fast and simply tell himself: “I had intended to travel.”
Also, a person who is still at his place of residence may sincerely intend to travel. However, he can then change his mind about doing so and stay where he is, even though he would already have broken his fast.
Therefore, the correct position on the matter is that a person who intends to travel during the day in Ramadan may not break his fast until he has actually started his journey and distanced himself from the buildings of his town of residence. Only then may he break his fast.
Scholars agree that a traveler is allowed to fast if he wishes to, just as he is permitted to break his fast. However, it is preferable for him to do what is easiest for him. If breaking his fast is easier for him, then that is what is preferred. If it is easier for him to continue fasting until sunset, and if he wishes to fast along with everyone else and not have to make up the day later, then that is what is preferred.