The Fifth Condition: That One Be a Resident, and a Mention of the Cases of the Traveler’s Fasting with Their Rulings

The Shaykh : As for the fourth, the fourth is that one be a resident, and the opposite of the resident is the traveler. The traveler is not obligated to perform the fast in its proper time; rather, he may break his fast and make up the days he did not fast. There is no difference regarding the traveler whether fasting is difficult for him or easy for him, even if the traveler is in a town where he is staying for a need, and when the need ends, he returns to his homeland. Even if he is staying in a hotel or in a house where he is resting, he may break his fast due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted: But is it better for the traveler to fast, or is it better to break his fast, or is he given a choice between the two? We say that the better option is what is easier for him; whatever is easier is better. If breaking the fast is easier, then it is better. If fasting is easier, then he fasts. If the two are equal, the scholars differed on this. Some said that it is better to break the fast, taking the dispensation. Others said that it is better to fast, and this latter view is the correct one: if breaking the fast and fasting are equal for the traveler, then fasting is better. Why did we prefer that he fast? For three reasons. First, that is the action of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Abu al-Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Second, if he fasts, this is faster in clearing his conscience, because if he did not fast, the fast would remain a debt upon him, and if he fasts, this is faster in clearing his conscience. Third, if he fasts with the people, it is generally easier for him. Therefore, you find that if a man has a make-up fast from Ramadan, it is difficult for him to make it up, even if it is only one day. Indeed, some people have a make-up fast from Ramadan of one day and do not fast it except in Sha'ban because of the heaviness of the make-up fast upon them. So, if breaking the fast and fasting are equal for the traveler, fasting is preferable for these three reasons. This is the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him). As for if fasting is difficult for the traveler, it fluctuates between being disliked and being forbidden. Forcing oneself to fast when it is difficult is contrary to what the Sunnah brought. Indeed, this action of his is either disliked or forbidden. The evidence is He denied that fasting while traveling is from righteousness. If it is not from righteousness, then what is it? It is from sin. For this reason, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered his companions during the Battle of the Conquest to break their fasts, it was because fasting was difficult for them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described them as transgressors, and the transgressor is sinful. Why did he describe them as transgressors? Because fasting had become difficult for them. So, if fasting is difficult for you, and Allah has permitted you to break the fast, but you fast, this is a type of disobedience. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: