Differences in Fasting Between Countries

Question : The questioner says: I came from my country to perform the obligatory Hajj at the beginning of Ramadan. This city fasts one day after us. So, when I return, do I break my fast in Makkah according to my previous fast, or do I complete my fast with that city, which would mean I fasted on the day of Eid, which is forbidden?

Answer : We say that if a man fasts in one country and travels to another, and the second country is one day behind the first, he does not break his fast until the people of the second country break theirs, because when he moved to them, his ruling became their ruling. Fasting is the day people fast, and breaking the fast is the day people break it. This is indicated and clarified by the fact that if you traveled from a country where you abstained from food and drink at exactly ten o'clock, for example, and they break their fast at ten o'clock, but you arrived in a country where they do not break their fast until twelve o'clock, you remain fasting until the people of the country you arrived in break their fast. Breaking the fast based on the day is like breaking the fast based on the month. So we say: if you arrive in your country and they do not break their fast until one day after Makkah, you remain fasting with the people of your country.