Source: Urdu Sharh ‘Umdah al-Aḥkām, translated by Ḥāfiẓ Fayzullah Nāṣir
Islam offers flexibility regarding fasting while traveling. The Prophet ﷺ provided guidance based on individual capacity and situational hardship.
Hamzah ibn ʿAmr al-Aslamī (رضي الله عنه) asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“Should I fast while traveling?” He was a frequent faster.
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“If you wish, then fast; and if you wish, then break the fast.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1943 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1121)
☞ Ruling: Both fasting and breaking the fast while traveling are permissible, depending on the person's ease or hardship.
“We used to travel with the Prophet ﷺ, and neither the one who fasted criticized the one who didn’t, nor vice versa.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1947 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1118)
☞ Lesson: Diversity in practice during travel is acceptable, and neither group should find fault with the other.
“We traveled with the Prophet ﷺ in Ramadan under extreme heat… none of us were fasting except the Prophet ﷺ and ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1945 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1122)
☞ Lesson: If fasting is very difficult due to conditions, it is better not to fast during travel.
The Prophet ﷺ saw a man being shaded during travel due to fasting. He said:
“It is not righteousness to fast while traveling [in such hardship].”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1946 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1115)
☞ Lesson: Fasting that leads to severe difficulty or health risk during travel is not considered pious, but burdensome.
During a hot day in travel, those who didn’t fast set up tents and gave water to animals, while the fasting ones fell from exhaustion.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Today, the non-fasters have earned the reward.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2890 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1119)
☞ Insight: The reward lies in benefit and service, not merely in enduring hardship. Accepting Allah’s rukhṣah (concession) can be more virtuous than insisting on difficulty.
Overview of the Issue
Islam offers flexibility regarding fasting while traveling. The Prophet ﷺ provided guidance based on individual capacity and situational hardship.✦ Ḥadīth 1 – Optionality of Fasting in Travel
Narrated by ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها):Hamzah ibn ʿAmr al-Aslamī (رضي الله عنه) asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“Should I fast while traveling?” He was a frequent faster.
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“If you wish, then fast; and if you wish, then break the fast.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1943 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1121)
☞ Ruling: Both fasting and breaking the fast while traveling are permissible, depending on the person's ease or hardship.
✦ Ḥadīth 2 – No Criticism Between Travelers
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه):“We used to travel with the Prophet ﷺ, and neither the one who fasted criticized the one who didn’t, nor vice versa.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1947 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1118)
☞ Lesson: Diversity in practice during travel is acceptable, and neither group should find fault with the other.
✦ Ḥadīth 3 – Severe Heat During Travel
Narrated by Abū al-Dardāʾ (رضي الله عنه):“We traveled with the Prophet ﷺ in Ramadan under extreme heat… none of us were fasting except the Prophet ﷺ and ʿAbdullāh ibn Rawāḥah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1945 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1122)
☞ Lesson: If fasting is very difficult due to conditions, it is better not to fast during travel.
✦ Ḥadīth 4 – Not Piety to Fast in Hardship
Narrated by Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh (رضي الله عنهما):The Prophet ﷺ saw a man being shaded during travel due to fasting. He said:
“It is not righteousness to fast while traveling [in such hardship].”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1946 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1115)
☞ Lesson: Fasting that leads to severe difficulty or health risk during travel is not considered pious, but burdensome.
✦ Ḥadīth 5 – Greater Reward for Not Fasting When It Enables Service
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه):During a hot day in travel, those who didn’t fast set up tents and gave water to animals, while the fasting ones fell from exhaustion.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Today, the non-fasters have earned the reward.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2890 – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1119)
☞ Insight: The reward lies in benefit and service, not merely in enduring hardship. Accepting Allah’s rukhṣah (concession) can be more virtuous than insisting on difficulty.
