Amjadi Darul Ifta

Travelling During Ramadaan And Omitting The Fast

· 1 Ramadan 1443 AH2 min readFatwa Fatwa 3 (FATAAWA MAAH E RAMADAAN)English
LiteratureBooksFATAAWA MAAH E RAMADAAN

Question

1. Who is regarded as a traveller according to Shari’ah?

Question: 2. What is the Shari’ah ruling for a traveller who does not fast in the month of Ramadan despite him having all of the comforts and facilities of travel?

Question Posed By: Muhammad Zulfiqar Chatsworth, Durban, South Africa

Answer

If a person leaves the boundaries of his town or village with the intention of traveling fifty-seven and a half miles, approximately 92 kilometres, then according to Shari’ah he is a traveller. (Bahaar e Shari'at) One of the legitimate or valid excuses for not fasting is Shari'ah travel (i.e. journey as stipulated as such by the Shari’ah). As Allah Subhanahu says:

Translation: So whoever is sick among you, or on a journey, then same number of fasting in other days. Therefore, if a traveller does not fast in Ramadaan in spite of him possessing all the comforts and facilities of travelling, then it is not sinful and is permissible for him according to Shari’ah, though it would be better for him to fast. However, If such a journey poses a danger or harm then it is better not to fast.

It is stated in Fataawa Shaami:

Translation: It is (mustahab) recommended for the traveller to fast because

there is a verse (Aayat e Kareemah) ( ) ـَوأـَن ـَ ـُصو ـُموا ـَخ ْ ٌ ـّـَكـُ ْمAnd your fasting is better for you. (Al-Baqarah 184) The meaning derived from Khair in this verse is "goodness" as in this context it is not a form of the comparative degree (Ism e Tafzeel).

Note: This is recommended if fasting does not harm, bother or endanger him. If fasting is difficult on him or his companions, then it is better not to fast. (Fataawa Shaami Vol 4, Page 142, Book of Fasting - Publisher Zia-ul-Quran Publications, Lahore). Bahaar e Shariat has a similar explanation: If personally the (Musafir) traveller, or the one travelling with him (i.e. his travel companions) shall not be in any way harmed or endangered by fasting, then it is more virtuous for him to fast, otherwise it is better (advisable) not to keep the fast. (Bahaar e Shariat, Volume 5, Page Number 132)

Note: Any fasts which has been missed during Ramadaan is to be made up for, after Ramadan. It is stated in Fataawa Shaami:

Translation: And on the days when they are able, they will make up for it without redemption. (Fataawa Shaami page number 140, Chapter of fasting)

References (Arabic / Urdu sources)

و قضوا لزوما ما قدروا بلا فدية و بلا ولاء

Answered by
A Humble Servant of Sacred Knowledge At Amjadi Darul Ifta, Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi, Imam of Masjid e Khalid, Unit 9, Chatsworth, Durban, South Africa
Approved by
The Grandson of Huzoor Sadrush Shariah, The Propagator of Maslak e Aala Hazrat, Khalifa Huzoor Taajush Shariah wa Huzoor Muhad’dith e Kabeer Hazrat Allama Mufti Faizanul Mustafa Qadri Misbahi Sahab Qiblah Ghosi Shareef India, Founder & Director Jamia Imam Azam Abu Hanifa and Tajushariah Online Islamic Institute (Int.) Lucknow, India. | The Propagator of Maslak e Aala Hazrat, Khalifa Huzoor Taajush Shariah wa Muhad’dith e Kabeer Hazrat Allamah Mufti Muhammad Afthab Cassim Razvi Sahab Qiblah founder and Head of Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre Overport Durban South Africa. | The Propagator of Maslak e Aala Hazrat, Khalifa Huzoor Taajush Shariah Hazrat Allamah Mufti Zulfaqar Khan Naimi Kakralvi, Darul Ifta Madina Masjid, Mohalla Ali Khan, Kashipur, Utar-Khand, India | The Propagator of Maslak e Aala Hazrat, Hazrat Allama Mufti Mahboob Raza, Shar’ee Board of Nepal
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