The Impermissibility of Fasting While Travelling if it Harms the Fasting Person
By the
Muhaddith, Shaykh, Allamaa’
Muhammad Nasir uddeen al-Albaani
Translated by
Abbas Abu Yahya
Shaykh Albaani said: ‘From Jabir bin Abdullaah –Radi Allaahu anhu– who said: ‘The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- passed by a man turning around on the floor on his back and stomach. The Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- asked about him. The people said: ‘O Prophet of Allaah he is fasting.’ So the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- ordered him to break his fast, then the Messenger –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam–said: ‘Is it not sufficient for you that you are in the path of Allaah along with the Messenger of Allaah –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– that you have to also fast.’
This hadeeth is a clear evidence that it is not allowed to fast while travelling if it harms the fasting person. This is how the saying of the Messenger –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– is understood when he said: ‘It is not from righteousness to fast while travelling.’
Or his -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- saying: ‘They are the disobedient ones.’
As for other than this point, then the person has the choice if he wants to fast or if he wants he can break his fast.’
[Taken from: ‘Silsilah as-Saheehah’ No. 2595]
Is it better for the Fasting Person to fast while travelling or break his Fast?
Shaykh Albaani said:
‘From Hamza bin ‘Amr al-Aslami –Radi Allaahu anhu– that he asked the Messenger of Allaah –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– about fasting while travelling. The Messenger of Allaah –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– said: ‘Which ever of that is easier for you then do that.’ Meaning: not fasting in Ramadan, or to fast while travelling.
Indeed I researched the wording of this narration here, firstly to mention the reference, and secondly because it has the reason as to why the Messenger –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam– made this concession and the choice for the traveller either to fast or break the fast, and the reason is ‘ease’.
People are completely diverse as is well known and witnessed due to their different abilities and natures. So some people find it easier to fast along with the people and difficult to make up the fast if they break a fast. And it does not bother some people if they do not fast as a concession then they make up the fast later. May Allaah praise the unlettered Prophet upon whom Allaah revealed << Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship>>
[Taken from: ‘Silsilah as-Saheehah’ No. 2884]