Breaking the Fast During Travel

Authored by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Concession of Fasting During Sea, Land, and Air Travel​

Question:
If a person is traveling by airplane or car and does not experience any hardship, can they still break their fast?

Answer:
It is permissible for a person to break their fast during travel, even if the journey involves no hardship, regardless of whether the travel is by airplane, car, or any other means. The concession for breaking the fast is not tied to the presence of difficulty but rather to the fact of travel itself. Both the Qur'an and Hadith provide general evidence for this ruling.

Allah Almighty states:
"And whoever is ill or on a journey - then the prescribed period (should be made up) from other days."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)

This verse establishes the permissibility of breaking the fast due to travel, without mentioning any condition of hardship.

Supporting Evidence from Hadith​

1. Action of Anas ibn Malik (RA):
   Muhammad bin Ka’b (RA) narrates:

"I visited Anas bin Malik (RA) during Ramadan. He was preparing for a journey, and his riding animal and equipment were ready. While still at home, he asked for food, ate, and then prepared to depart. I asked him, 'Is this (breaking the fast before travel) a Sunnah?' He replied, 'Yes, this is Sunnah.'"
(Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Sawm: Hadith 799, 800; Al-Bayhaqi: 4/248)

Imam Tirmidhi classified this Hadith as Hasan, and Sheikh Albani included it in Sahih Tirmidhi (799).
This shows that Anas (RA) broke his fast before any hardship arose and attributed the action to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

1. Explanation by Imam Tirmidhi:
   After narrating the above Hadith, Imam Tirmidhi stated that most scholars use this as evidence to permit breaking the fast before departing for a journey. However, shortening the prayer (Qasr) is not allowed until the person has left the city or village limits. This opinion is also upheld by Ishaq bin Ibrahim al-Hanzali (Ishaq ibn Rahwayh).
2. Action of Abu Basrah Al-Ghifari (RA):
   Ubaid bin Jubair (RA) narrates:

"I was with Abu Basrah Al-Ghifari (RA) on a ship during Ramadan. He halted the ship, and food was brought to him. Although we had not yet traveled far from the houses (of the city), he asked for a tablecloth and said, 'Come and eat.' I said, 'But we can still see the houses!' Abu Basrah (RA) replied, 'Do you dislike the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ?' He then ate."
(Musnad Ahmad: 18/488; Al-Bayhaqi: 4/246)
This indicates that Abu Basrah (RA) broke his fast immediately upon embarking on the ship, without waiting for any difficulty to arise.

Key Points from the Evidence:​

1. The concession for breaking the fast during travel is not dependent on hardship or difficulty but on the state of travel itself.
2. The companions of the Prophet ﷺ sometimes fasted during travel and sometimes broke their fast, without criticizing one another.
3. The Prophet ﷺ stated:
   "Allah loves that His concessions be accepted, just as He loves adherence to His commands."

Thus, both fasting and utilizing the concession are valid actions during travel.

Conclusion:​

It is permissible to break the fast during travel, even if no difficulty is experienced. Utilizing this concession aligns with the Sunnah, and Allah loves those who accept the ease He has granted.

References:

• Tirmidhi: Kitab al-Sawm, Hadith 799, 800
• Musnad Ahmad: 18/488
• Al-Bayhaqi: 4/246
• Ibn Baz: Majmoo' al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat: 19/286