Ruling on Fasting During Travel in Modern Times – Fatwa and Evidences
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
What is the ruling on fasting for a traveler in today’s modern era, where fasting during travel is generally not as difficult due to advanced transportation?
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
A traveler has the choice whether to fast or not. Regarding this, Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَمَن كانَ مَريضًا أَو عَلى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِن أَيّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾
(Al-Baqarah: 185)
"And whoever is ill or on a journey – then (he should fast) a number of other days."
When the Companions رضي الله عنهم would travel with the Prophet ﷺ, some would fast and others wouldn’t, yet they did not criticize or blame one another.
The Prophet ﷺ himself would sometimes fast while traveling.
Abu al-Dardā’ رضي الله عنه reported:
«سَافَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي حَرٍّ شَدِيدٍ، وَمَا مِنَّا صَائِمٌ إِلَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1945, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1122)
"We traveled with the Prophet ﷺ during the month of Ramadan in intense heat. None of us was fasting except the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abdullah ibn Rawāḥah."
For a traveler, the principle is:
➡ If fasting is not difficult, then fasting is preferable, due to the following three benefits:
◈ First Benefit: Following the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Second Benefit: Ease and unity in fasting alongside fellow Muslims.
◈ Third Benefit: Prompt fulfillment of the obligation, freeing oneself of the responsibility.
➡ However, if fasting causes hardship, then it is better not to fast, as fasting under hardship during travel is not considered righteousness.
When the Prophet ﷺ saw a man being shaded, and people were crowding around him due to his exhaustion from fasting while traveling, he ﷺ asked:
“What is this?”
They replied:
“He is fasting.”
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
«لَيْسَ مِنَ الْبِرِّ الصَّوْمُ فِي السَّفَرِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1946, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1115)
"It is not from righteousness to fast during travel."
The general rule of this ḥadīth applies to those who face hardship while fasting during travel.
However, in today’s age of ease and comfort in travel, fasting is usually not difficult. Therefore:
✔ If a person does not experience any significant hardship during travel, then it is preferable for him to fast.
🖋 This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
What is the ruling on fasting for a traveler in today’s modern era, where fasting during travel is generally not as difficult due to advanced transportation?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
A traveler has the choice whether to fast or not. Regarding this, Allah the Exalted says:
﴿وَمَن كانَ مَريضًا أَو عَلى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِن أَيّامٍ أُخَرَ﴾
(Al-Baqarah: 185)
"And whoever is ill or on a journey – then (he should fast) a number of other days."
Practice of the Companions
When the Companions رضي الله عنهم would travel with the Prophet ﷺ, some would fast and others wouldn’t, yet they did not criticize or blame one another.
The Prophet ﷺ himself would sometimes fast while traveling.
Abu al-Dardā’ رضي الله عنه reported:
«سَافَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي حَرٍّ شَدِيدٍ، وَمَا مِنَّا صَائِمٌ إِلَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1945, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1122)
"We traveled with the Prophet ﷺ during the month of Ramadan in intense heat. None of us was fasting except the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abdullah ibn Rawāḥah."
The General Principle Regarding the Traveler's Fast
For a traveler, the principle is:
➡ If fasting is not difficult, then fasting is preferable, due to the following three benefits:
◈ First Benefit: Following the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
◈ Second Benefit: Ease and unity in fasting alongside fellow Muslims.
◈ Third Benefit: Prompt fulfillment of the obligation, freeing oneself of the responsibility.
➡ However, if fasting causes hardship, then it is better not to fast, as fasting under hardship during travel is not considered righteousness.
The Prophet’s Warning Against Fasting with Hardship in Travel
When the Prophet ﷺ saw a man being shaded, and people were crowding around him due to his exhaustion from fasting while traveling, he ﷺ asked:
“What is this?”
They replied:
“He is fasting.”
The Prophet ﷺ then said:
«لَيْسَ مِنَ الْبِرِّ الصَّوْمُ فِي السَّفَرِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1946, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1115)
"It is not from righteousness to fast during travel."
Fasting for a Traveler in Modern Times
The general rule of this ḥadīth applies to those who face hardship while fasting during travel.
However, in today’s age of ease and comfort in travel, fasting is usually not difficult. Therefore:
✔ If a person does not experience any significant hardship during travel, then it is preferable for him to fast.
🖋 This is what I hold, and Allah knows best what is correct.
