Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) reported: We went out on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the 16th of Ramadan. Some of us fasted and some of us broke the fast. But neither the observer of the fast found fault with one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast found fault with one who observed it.
A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Qatada with the same chain of transmitters by different narrators (except this difference) that in the hadith transmitted by Taimi and Umar bin Amir and Hisham (the date of setting out is) 18th, and in the hadith transmitted by Sa'id it is the 12th, and in the one transmitted by Shu'bah it is the 17th or 19th.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) reported: We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during Ramadan and neither the observer of the fast was found fault with for his fasting, nor the breaker of the fast for breaking it.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (RA) reported: We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during Ramadan. Some of us observed the fast and some of us broke it. Neither the observer of the fast had any grudge against one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast had any grudge against one who had fasted. They knew that he who had strength enough (to bear its rigour) fasted and that was good, and they also found that he who felt weakness (and could not bear the burden) broke it, and that was also good.
Abu Juhaifa reported on the authority of his father: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) (in Makkah at al-Abtah) in a red leather tent. and I saw Bilal (RA) take the ablution water (left by Allah's Messenger), and I saw the people racing, with one another to get that ablution water. If anyone got some of it, he rubbed himself with it, and anyone who did not get any got some of the moisture from his companion's hand. I then saw Bilal (RA) take a staff and fix it in the ground, after which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out quickly in a red mantle and led the people in two rak'ahs facing the staff, and I saw people and animals passing in front of the staff.
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary:
Benefits and Issues: If there is a sutrah (barrier) in front of the imam, then passing in front of him does not affect the prayer.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 1120
Explanation: 1: It is the name of a valley between Makkah and Usfan.
2: If the mujahideen have reached such a place beyond which there is a fear of encountering the enemy, then in such a situation it is better to break the fast. And if it is certain that the enemy is present ahead for confrontation, then breaking the fast becomes necessary.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 1684
Narrated Qazaah: I came to Abu Saeed al-Khudri while he was giving his legal opinion to the people who bent down on him. So I waited to see hi when he was alone. When he became alone, I asked him about keeping fast while travelling. He said: we went out along with the Prophet ﷺ in Ramadan in the year of conquest of Makkah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasted and we fasted until he reached a certain stage. He said: You have come near your enemy; the breaking of fast will bring you more strength. Then morning came when some of us fasted and other broke their fast. He (Abu Saeed al-Khudri) said: We then proceeded and alighted at a stage. He said: You are going to attack your enemy tomorrow morning ; breaking the fast will bring you more strength ; so break your fast (i. e. do not keep fast). This resolution (of breaking the fast) took place (due to the announcement) from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Abu Saeed said: Then I found myself keeping fast along with the Prophet ﷺ before and after that.
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues: ➊ Fasting or not fasting during travel depends on each individual's circumstances and personal preference.
➋ The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) had a deep understanding of the true nature of the statements of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): which statement was merely an encouragement and which was a firm command (azimah). In matters of firm command (azimah), opposing the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is never permissible in any way. This is why it is said that deduction and ijtihad (independent juristic reasoning) is the work of well-grounded scholars. For legal verdicts (fatawa), one should refer only to those who possess a complete mastery of the understanding of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 2406