His second and final question asks about the permissibility of breaking the fast in the noble month of Ramadan, stating that many people travel in air-conditioned, comfortable cars.
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The questioner : His third and final question, or second and final question, asks about the permissibility of breaking the fast in the noble month of Ramadan. He says that many people travel in air-conditioned, comfortable cars, yet they break their fast, even though they know that if they completed their fast, they would not feel or sense any fatigue or thirst. Is their action permissible or not? Please inform us. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This action is permissible because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:[Al-Baqarah 2:185] And Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) did not mention any condition for travel to permit breaking the fast in it. Therefore, travel itself is an excuse that permits breaking the fast, whether hardship occurs in it or not. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered Mecca in the Year of the Conquest on the twentieth of Ramadan. The Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on them both) mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) broke his fast for the remaining days of that month in which he entered Mecca.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That is, the remaining days of the month, even though he was in Mecca itself. So the result is that travel itself permits breaking the fast, whether hardship occurs with it or not. Yes.
The questioner : But is this not limited to a specific number of days, such as four days or otherwise, for staying and breaking the fast?
The Shaykh : No, it is not limited. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in Mecca for nineteen days shortening the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And whenever shortening the prayer is permissible, breaking the fast is permissible. Therefore, the scholars say that it is permissible for the sick person and for the traveler who shortens [the prayer], meaning [it is permissible for him to] break the fast.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So whenever shortening the prayer is permissible, it means that he is a traveler.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : This action is permissible because Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days
شهر رمضان الذي أنزل فيه القرأن هدى للناس وبيّنات من الهدى والفرقان فمن شهد منكم الشهر فليصمه ومن كان مريضا أو على سفر فعدة من أيام أخَرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That is, the remaining days of the month, even though he was in Mecca itself. So the result is that travel itself permits breaking the fast, whether hardship occurs with it or not. Yes.
The questioner : But is this not limited to a specific number of days, such as four days or otherwise, for staying and breaking the fast?
The Shaykh : No, it is not limited. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in Mecca for nineteen days shortening the prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And whenever shortening the prayer is permissible, breaking the fast is permissible. Therefore, the scholars say that it is permissible for the sick person and for the traveler who shortens [the prayer], meaning [it is permissible for him to] break the fast.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So whenever shortening the prayer is permissible, it means that he is a traveler.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.