What is better for a traveler or a sick person: breaking the fast during the day in Ramadan, or fasting?
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The Shaykh : ... This is the summary of what I have in answering that first question, and its conclusion ends with the first hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah 1662Sahih (Darussalam). This answer is comprehensive and inclusive; because in reality, people differ. Some prefer fasting in Ramadan even if it involves some effort. Why? Because it is more exhausting and tiring for them to fast while people are breaking their fast. There are psychological factors involved; and a person is strong through his brother.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
So if he breaks his fast in Ramadan, it is obligatory for him to fast at a time other than Ramadan. He finds in that a sense of alienation; people are breaking their fast while he is fasting. So he prefers to fast with the people; that is, he fasts the month of Ramadan and discharges this obligation and is at ease. Other people do not care about making up the fasting of Ramadan that is upon them, and they prefer to break their fast in Ramadan as long as they are travelers. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not close the door on one group to the exclusion of another. He gave the choice to those who are obligatedSunan Ibn Majah 1662Sahih (Darussalam). So you choose from the two matters whatever you like. This is the answer to the previous question, and we now hear the second question.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : I say—and please do not hold me to this—that this question is incorrect.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Because in reality, I tell people that the duty of the scholar is not only to teach people Islamic jurisprudence, but the duty of the scholar is also to teach people how to ask good questions; because the people of knowledge say: "A good question is half of knowledge."
If you wish, then fast, and if you wish, then break your fast.
إن شئتَ فصُمْ ، وإن شئتَ فأفطِرْThe questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah.
So if he breaks his fast in Ramadan, it is obligatory for him to fast at a time other than Ramadan. He finds in that a sense of alienation; people are breaking their fast while he is fasting. So he prefers to fast with the people; that is, he fasts the month of Ramadan and discharges this obligation and is at ease. Other people do not care about making up the fasting of Ramadan that is upon them, and they prefer to break their fast in Ramadan as long as they are travelers. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not close the door on one group to the exclusion of another. He gave the choice to those who are obligated
If you wish, then fast, and if you wish, then break your fast.
إن شئتَ فصُمْ ، وإن شئتَ فأفطِرْThe questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : I say—and please do not hold me to this—that this question is incorrect.
The questioner : ... .
The Shaykh : Because in reality, I tell people that the duty of the scholar is not only to teach people Islamic jurisprudence, but the duty of the scholar is also to teach people how to ask good questions; because the people of knowledge say: "A good question is half of knowledge."
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.