Question:
When I am on a journey for business purposes, and I arrive in the country where I intend to stay at the end of Sha’ban, and I remain in that country until the middle of Shawwal, is it permissible for me to break my fast during Ramadan or not?
Answer:
Breaking the fast in Ramadan without any excuse such as the hardship of travel or illness is not permissible. It is better for a traveler to fast as well, because the Prophet ﷺ mostly followed this practice. However, if there is hardship and difficulty, then it is permissible to break the fast by following Allah’s permission.
As for a person residing in another country, if he is a resident, then both shortening the prayer and breaking the fast are permissible for him. Similarly, if he does not stay in the city but sets up a tent outside the city for himself, or stays in his vehicle, he will face hardship due to heat, sun, wind, and running around to fulfill necessities. And if his intention is to stay somewhere and he resides in an air-conditioned hotel, a luxurious palace, or a building where all his needs and comforts are fulfilled, and he has a bed, cot, food, air conditioning, and all other conveniences that a resident benefits from, then in such a case this person will be considered a resident. The travel, which is a form of hardship, will not apply to him. For such a person, I do not consider breaking the fast or shortening the prayer permissible. Rather, such a person will be in the category of residents. And Allah is the All-Knowing.
Sheikh Ibn Jibreen. May Allah have mercy on him.
