A man intended to fast on the Day of Ashura, but travel came upon him. Does he receive reward or not? And is the criterion for fasting the calendar or the legal sighting?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : A person intended to fast on the Day of Ashura, but travel came upon him on that day, and he returned afterward. Will the fasting of this day be recorded for him or not? Knowing that he also intends to fast the day before it or the day after it? And is the criterion, O honorable Shaykh, fasting by the legal sighting or by the calendar?
The Shaykh : If he intended to fast on the Day of Ashura but travel came upon him, we say: Fast while you are traveling; what is the obstacle? If he says: I am unable to fast while traveling, we say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And we hope that Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) will record the reward for him.
As for your question: Is the criterion the calendar or the legal method? The criterion in acts of worship is the legal method, even if the calendar—for example—says that today is the ninth, but the crescent was not seen on the night of the thirtieth of Dhul-Hijjah, meaning the crescent was not seen, then the calendar is not considered. For this reason, we say: In this year, Ashura is Saturday and Tasu'a is Friday.
The Shaykh : If he intended to fast on the Day of Ashura but travel came upon him, we say: Fast while you are traveling; what is the obstacle? If he says: I am unable to fast while traveling, we say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever is ill or travels, it is recorded for him what he used to do while healthy and resident.
من مرض أو سافر كُتب له ما كان يعمل صحيحاً مقيماًAs for your question: Is the criterion the calendar or the legal method? The criterion in acts of worship is the legal method, even if the calendar—for example—says that today is the ninth, but the crescent was not seen on the night of the thirtieth of Dhul-Hijjah, meaning the crescent was not seen, then the calendar is not considered. For this reason, we say: In this year, Ashura is Saturday and Tasu'a is Friday.