Travelling during Ramadan

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

**Salam,

I am going to be taking a flight to Pakistan in a couple of days (from the UK)
As it’s the month of Ramadan, is it advisory to fast or not to fast?

Thanks.

:slight_smile:
**

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

Fast if you can, will save you from fasting later. You may also opt not to, if you find it difficult.

3

Re: Travelling during Ramadan

Islam gives you the option not to fast .. and it is preferred that you dont ..cos In quran it says if you are ill or traveling THEN upon you is to fast on another day ..ie after ramadhan ..so if you do fast .. it kinda goes against this ruling.. so best not to ... I know i dont when am traveling to pak.

4

Re: Travelling during Ramadan

I don't think it's an option to fast or not to fast. You are required to NOT fast when you're travelling. Especially when it's a long journey going from one continent to another.

5

Re: Travelling during Ramadan

I normally travel every other week. Last week I fast though I had to take a 2 hour flight. This week I have to travel again and have to take 2.5 hour flight.

In an aftaar dinner a person said the same thing that I should not fast, regardless of how long the journey/flight is, if I am travelling. The person related it to the qasr salaat where it is obligatory to read qasr and not the full Salaat. Not doing so will make one go against the rulling.

Is this same as qasr salaat, or its really an option (fast if you can during travelling). Thanks in advance if you can post a fatwa or hadeeth in either case.

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

Can't fast if u are traveling as far as shia school of thought. Have to make it up after ramadan.

7

Re: Travelling during Ramadan

The following was taken from http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2443&CATE=6

  1. If a person is travelling, it is permissible for him not to fast. He must make qada of the missed fast whenever possible. “Travelling” in this context is the same as that mentioned in the chapter on offering salaat while travelling, i.e. one must have the intention of travelling approximately 77 kilometres or more.

  2. If by travelling, a person will not experience any difficulties by fasting, e.g. he is travelling by train and feels that he will reach his destination by the evening or he has all the necessary items which will give him comfort during the course of the journey, in such a case it will be preferable to fast even though he is still regarded as a traveller (musafir). But if he does not fast despite all these comforts, even then there will be no sin on him. However, he will be deprived of the virtue of fasting in the month of Ramadan. If a person experiences difficulties because of fasting during the course of his journey, in such a case it will be better not to fast.

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

Whether its mandatory not to fast or its an option, in any case I would advice you not to fast cause once you start your fast, there are bigger consequences if you break that fast. Its better not to fast than to break it.

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

I don't agree with this sunnipath website. Its really very simple. U can't fast if u are traveling. We can't say oh now traveling is not that big of a deal so I can fast. This is simple yes or no question.

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

Thank you all who replied. I think I have got my answer. For me atleast its better to not fast as I have to rush to airport after sahoor and then go through the checkin, flight time then reaching my customer site, some time give long bhashans (presentations) etc etc.

I found this beautiful Tafseer Ibne Kateer on this topic. Covers it all.

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Re: Travelling during Ramadan

**Thanks a lot for all your help.

:)
**