Estimating Prayer and Fasting in Regions Where the Sun Does Not Set
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What is the rule for residents of countries where the sun does not set for a long period of the year, or for a traveler on a plane where the day may become very long or very short? What is the rule for the one who is fasting or praying in these cases?
If there is night and day, then the night and day are considered as they are, whether long or short. Even if, for example, the night is four hours and the day is twenty hours, the night is considered night and the day is considered day. But if there is no night and day, as in the polar regions, then it is estimated.And this indicates: As for the first, the general statement of Allah the Exalted regarding fasting indicates it: [al-Baqarah: 187],And the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family): (When the night comes in from here, and he pointed to the east, and the day departs from here, and he pointed to the west, and the sun has set, then the one who is fasting has broken his fast). And as for the second, its evidence is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke about the Dajjal, and that the first day in which the day is like a year, Allah made the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) speak,And they said: (How shall we pray, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Estimate for it its measure). So those who have six months of night and six months of day,We say: estimate its measure. But by what do we estimate? Do we estimate by the average,And we say: twelve hours, consider it day, and twelve hours consider it night, because when the specific designation is lost due to the absence of the difference, we return to the middle. Or do we consider the nearest countries to this region that have night and day? Or do we consider Makkah, because Allah the Exalted named it the Mother of Cities?On three opinions: There is nothing definitive that one of these three is more correct, but the closest thing to me—and Allah knows best—is that we consider the nearby countries that have night and day.
The questioner: But does the person who resides in those countries try to move to places where there are possibilities?The Shaykh: It is not obligatory, and he remains in the land where he is.
If there is night and day, then the night and day are considered as they are, whether long or short. Even if, for example, the night is four hours and the day is twenty hours, the night is considered night and the day is considered day. But if there is no night and day, as in the polar regions, then it is estimated.And this indicates: As for the first, the general statement of Allah the Exalted regarding fasting indicates it:
until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset
حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنْ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنْ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِThe questioner: But does the person who resides in those countries try to move to places where there are possibilities?The Shaykh: It is not obligatory, and he remains in the land where he is.