Should Ramadan fasting be observed by travelers?

Question
Is it obligatory for travelers to observe Ramadan fasting?
Answer

Travelers are not required to observe the fast of Ramadan, although they must make it up later; as Allah, the Almighty, said: (Or on a journey, then a number of days [to be made up] other than these) Al-Baqarah: 184. And from Hamza ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: ((I said: O Messenger of Allah, I am a man who has a mount that I travel on and rent out, and sometimes this month - meaning Ramadan - coincides with me while I find strength, being young, and I find that fasting, O Messenger of Allah, is easier for me than delaying it to be a debt. Should I fast, O Messenger of Allah, for greater reward, or should I break my fast? He said: Do whichever you wish, O Hamza)). In Al-Mustadrak 1: 598, it was authenticated, and in Sunan Al-Bayhaqi Al-Kabir 4: 241, and Sunan Abu Dawood 2: 316, and Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat 2: 13. And from Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: ((We used to go on expeditions with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in Ramadan, and some of us would fast while others would break their fast, and the fasting person would not blame the one who broke his fast, nor would the one who broke his fast blame the fasting person. They saw that whoever found strength and fasted, that was good, and they saw that whoever found weakness and broke his fast, that was good)). In Sahih Muslim 2: 787, and Musnad Ahmad 3: 12, and Musnad Abu Ya'la 2: 519. And from Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, he said, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said regarding the traveler: ((Whoever breaks his fast, there is a concession, and whoever fasts, fasting is better)). In Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2: 280, and Al-Ahadith Al-Mukhtarah 6: 291, and Al-Diya Al-Maqdisi said: Its chain of narration is authentic.

imam icon

Send your question to the smart assistant

If the previous answers are not appropriate, please send your question to the Mufti via