Undesirability (unlawfulness) of Fast on a Journey

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Whoever among you is present (at home) in the month of Ramadan must fast.’ (2:185) He (the Imam) said, ‘It cannot be more vivid than this, those present must fast and those on a journey must not fast.’”

“I once, heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), state this Hadith: ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has granted a charity to those of my followers who are not in good health and those on a journey to reduce their Salat (prayer) and stop fasting. Does it make any of you happy to reject a charity given to you?”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who fasts on a journey in the month of Ramadan is like one who invalidates his fast while at home.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Once a man came to the Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, can I fast in the month of Ramadan on a journey?” He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, “No, you cannot fast on a journey.” He said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is very easy for me.” The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has given charity to those of my followers who are on a journey and those who are not in a good health to stop fasting in the month of Ramadan. Does it make any of you feel happy to reject a charity granted to you?””’

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has stated this Hadith: ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “The virtuous among my followers are those who, when on a journey, stop fasting and reduce their Salat (prayer), when receiving a favor they take it as good news and when doing a sin ask for forgiveness. The evildoers among my followers are those who are born in bounties and feed on it, who eat fine food, wear soft clothes and when speaking do not tell the truth.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a man goes out on a journey in the month of Ramadan he stops fasting.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once in the month of Ramadan left al-Madinah for Makkah along with people, among them were those who walked on foot. When they arrived at Kura‘ al-Ghaym (name of a place) He (the Messenger of Allah) asked for a bowl of water between al-Zuhr and al-‘ Asr time, he drank and stopped fasting, then people stopped fasting along with him. Certain people continued fasting. He (the Messenger of Allah) called them disobedient ones. It is the last commandment of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, which is effective.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, named a people ‘disobedient’ when they fasted when he stopped fasting and reduced his Salat (prayer).’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘They are disobedient till this day and will remain so till the Day of Judgment. I know their children and the children of their children up to this, our day.’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If a man while on a journey and fasting dies, I will not perform Salat (prayer) (of dead people) for him.’”