Chapter on the Obligation of Shortening the Fast During Travel

"A fasting person in the Month of Ramadan while traveling is like one who breaks his fast in the Month of Ramadan while at home." Imam (as) then added: "A man came to the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah (swt), should I fast during the Month of Ramadan while traveling?' The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) replied: 'No.' The man then said: 'O Messenger of Allah (swt), it is easy for me.' The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: 'Indeed, Allah (swt), the Blessed and Exalted, has given a concession to the sick and the travelers of my nation to break their fast in the Month of Ramadan. Would one of you like it if a charity he gave were returned to him?'"

Hadith.1974 - Ubayd ibn Zurara asked Abu Abdullah (as) about the verse of Allah (swt), the Exalted: "So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185) Imam (as) replied: "How clear it is! Whoever is present (not traveling) should fast it, and whoever is traveling should not fast it."

"If a man were to die while fasting during travel, I would not perform the funeral prayer for him."

"The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) called a group of people who fasted when he broke his fast and shortened his prayer as 'disobedient.' He (sw) said: 'They are disobedient until the Day of Judgment, and we recognize their children and the children of their children up to this day of ours.'"

"When a man travels during the Month of Ramadan, he breaks his fast." Imam (as) continued: "The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) departed from Medina to Mecca during Month of Ramadan, accompanied by people among whom were pedestrians. When he reached Kurāʿ al-Ghamīm, between noon and afternoon, He called for a cup of water, drank, and broke his fast. The people with him also broke their fast, but some persisted in their fasting. He (sw) called them 'the disobedient,' as one is obligated to follow the command of the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family)."

The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) said: "The best among my nation are those who break their fast and shorten their prayers when traveling, rejoice when they do good, and seek forgiveness when they commit wrongs. The worst among my nation are those who are born into luxury, nurtured in it, eat the finest food, wear the softest clothes, and do not speak truthfully when they speak."

"I heard Imam (as) say: Whoever travels must shorten their prayers and break their fast, except in the case of a person whose travel is for hunting, committing a sin against Allah (swt) the Almighty, acting as a messenger for someone disobedient to Allah (swt), pursuing an enemy, fostering enmity, engaging in slander, or causing harm to a group of Muslims."

Hadith.1980 - Imam (as) said: "A man should not break his fast in the Month of Ramadan except for a rightful cause."

[Regarding fasting voluntarily while traveling] Hadith.1981 - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Fasting while traveling is not an act of righteousness."

"If he departs before the middle of the day, let him break his fast and make up that day. But if he departs after midday, let him complete his day."

"If a man travels during the Month of Ramadan and departs after midday, he must fast that day, and it will be counted as part of his Month of Ramadan fast. However, if he enters a place before dawn with the intention of staying there, he is obligated to fast that day. But if he enters after dawn, fasting is not obligatory for him, although he may fast if he wishes."

I asked him about a man who returns from a journey during Month of Ramadan, expecting to reach his family by mid-morning or later in the day. Imam (as) said: 'If dawn rises while he is still outside (and has not yet entered his hometown), he has the option: if he wishes, he may fast, and if he wishes, he may break his fast.'"

regarding a traveler who reaches his home while in a state of ritual impurity (janabah) before noon and has not yet eaten: "He must complete his fast, and there is no requirement to make it up." The Imam (as) clarified: "This applies if his janabah resulted from a nocturnal emission (ihtilam)."

Hadith.1986 - Abdullah ibn Sinan asked Imam Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who engages with his concubine during the day in the Month of Ramadan while traveling. The Imam (as) responded: "This person has not recognized the sanctity of the Month of Ramadan, for he has a long stretch of permissible time at night." The questioner asked: "Is it not permissible for him to eat, drink, and shorten his prayer while traveling?" The Imam (as) replied: "Allah (swt), the Almighty and Glorious, granted the traveler the concession to break the fast and shorten the prayer out of mercy and ease, considering the hardship, exhaustion, and difficulties of travel. However, He did not permit engaging in sexual relations during the day while traveling in the Month of Ramadan. For this, He has mandated the fast's make-up (qada) but has not required the make-up of full prayers when the traveler returns home." The Imam then added: "Religious practices are not subject to analogy. When I travel during the Month of Ramadan, I do not consume all food or drink in full measure."

I asked him about a man who fasted while traveling. The Imam (as) replied: "If he was informed that the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) prohibited fasting in such a situation, then he must make up for it (qada). However, if he was not aware of this prohibition, then there is no obligation upon him."