Muiz Bukhary – Ramadan FAQs #01 Can You Break Your Fast When Travelling
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The host introduces a new series on the rules of fasting during travel, highlighting the benefits of breaking fast and allowing travelers to continue on their own journey. The importance of knowing the flexibility Islam offers and being prepared for the journey is emphasized. The speaker emphasizes the need to listen to one's body and make a judgment based on their intentions, as well as balancing spirituality with practicality. The speaker also offers tips on traveling during Feb.
AI: Summary ©
My dear brothers and sisters, I welcome you
all to a brand new series for this
month of Ramadan titled
fast and curious
your Ramadan FAQs
answered. Insha Allahu Ta'ala in the series I
want to try and address and answer as
many FAQs as possible
So for episode number 1,
have you ever wondered about the rules of
fasting
whilst you are on the move? So today,
we are navigating the fascinating journey of fasting
when traveling.
Buckle up as we unpack the truth behind
this intriguing
question.
You see travel and fasting,
2 significant
aspects of life that often intersect
especially
during the noble month of Ramadan.
Now the big question is can you
or rather should you break your fast when
you are traveling?
Let's dive into the wisdom
and flexibility
our beautiful deen Islam offers for the fasting
traveler.
So firstly, we need to understand that Islam
is a religion of ease. It is a
religion of accommodation
and flexibility,
especially when it comes to the physical demands
placed upon us. So when you are traveling,
you are granted
concessions
by Allah
with regards to fasting, with regards to prayers.
So the concession related to fasting is that
you are allowed to either break your fast
or to continue it based on your own
capacity
and the journey's demands.
So scholars of the past and of modern
times have long discussed this,
emphasizing
that this concession
is a mercy from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
It is a blessing
from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala that permits travelers
to make their journey without undue
hardship.
Now whoever studies the rulings on fasting,
the fiqh of fasting,
will find that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
has prescribed
it as something to be done
in an easy manner and that taking an
easy attitude towards it is something that is
beloved to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Now what
is the proof with regards to this? Allah
as our
maker himself says in
the verses on fasting within those verses
in Surat Al Baqarah, aya number
185,
Allah intends for you ease and he does
not want to make things difficult for you.
So if the hardship of fasting reaches such
a level
that there is the fear of harm,
then one must break the fast.
You see, when it comes to
a pregnant mother,
a breastfeeding mother, a sick individual,
if the hardship of fasting reaches such a
level that there is now fear of harm
towards the mother, fear of harm towards the
child, the infant, fear of harm towards the
patient, the sick individual,
then such individuals must break their fast. And
this is the same case when it comes
to a traveler. And this is why the
prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam is reported to
have said and the narration is recorded in
the book of Imam al Bukhari and Imam
Muslim Rahima humallallahu.
He
said concerning a traveler
who fasted even though it was difficult upon
him. He said that it is not righteousness
to fast when traveling.
Unfortunately, today, we have got this
notion
where people think that, oh, you know, when
I'm traveling despite the difficulty, I should burden
myself, I should burden the people around me
and complicate things for myself and the people
around me, that those who are traveling with
me by fasting because that is a sign
of my righteousness. Look at the words of
the messenger, salallahu alaihi wa sallam, where he's
clearly saying, it is not righteousness
to fast when traveling. In another narration, another
incident, he said
this when some of the sahaba
fasted on a journey although it was very
difficult. What did he say? He looked at
them and he said those are the disobedient
ones. Those are the disobedient ones. And this
hadith is recorded in the book of Imam
Muslim Rahimahullah.
So my dear brothers and sisters, when might
you consider this option?
It boils down to the journey's length. It
boils down to your own health. It also
boils down to the difficulty of fasting whilst
on the move. Let's say it's a short,
easy journey. You're traveling by yourself. You're not
necessarily going to overburden yourself. You're not going
to burden others. Okay, you're not going to
compromise your well-being, you're not going to compromise
your safety and the safety of others, then
perhaps you could consider fasting. But if fasting
would
compromise your well-being, if it would compromise your
safety, then it is wise to consider the
concession provided.
It is important at the end of the
day to listen to your body, to make
a judgment based on sincere
intentions.
Remember, it's not about looking for loopholes
to break the fast, but to it is
all about understanding the flexibility
Islam offers with a genuine heart.
And at this juncture, I must say that
planning is crucial. If you decide to fast,
if it's a short journey,
if it's not going to burden yourself and
others,
then ensure that you're well prepared with enough
hydration,
that you've had a a decent before
your journey. And on the flip side, if
you choose to break your fast, then again
plan how you're going to make up for
that fast later because that is the ruling.
If you choose to break your fast, you
must know that it is upon your shoulders.
Yes. You're allowed to break your fast. Okay?
Whilst on the journey, you can break your
fast. But later on, after Ramadan,
you must make up for that fast at
a time when it is convenient upon you.
So consider the nature of your trip. If
it's a leisurely trip,
then that trip might offer you flexibility
to maintain your fast. Whilst on the other
hand, a demanding business trip
might necessitate
breaking it. Again, like I said earlier on,
perhaps you're traveling for a for a project.
You're traveling on a business trip. You're going,
you know, for a number of meetings. You're
traveling with your colleagues. You're traveling with your
work colleagues. You're traveling with, you know, your
partners,
and you're going for something extremely important.
Now if you burden yourself with fasting,
you're obviously going to feel zapped, you're going
to feel tired, You're not going to be
able to fulfill what you set out for
in that journey on that journey. You're going
to end up
complicating in the sense you're going to burden
yourself by
slowing yourself and slowing the others down as
well. So this is not something
that our
deen,
the beauty of our deen,
this is not something that our deen expects
from us.
On the flip side, our deen is so
flexible that our deen allows us to break
our fast
and go ahead and fulfill the objectives
of that permissible travel.
So you have to understand, balancing spirituality with
practicality is key. Reflect on the purpose of
fasting and the intention behind your travel. Are
you seeking
ease to enhance your worship, or is it
to escape the fast? The the answer lies
in honest self
assessment, self reflection.
Traveling during the month of Ramadan isn't just
about the physical journey. It is a
spiritual voyage as well. Embrace the journey,
understand your options, and make choices that enhance
your fell your faith
and your health and well-being. Wherever your travels
may take you, remember that Allah's rahmah, Allah's
mercy is vast and his concessions are there
for your benefit.
Travel with taqwa,
travel with piety, travel with gratitude,
and travel with the heart that is
attuned
to seeking the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala. Thank you for joining me on this
enlightening journey. If this video
sparked your curiosity
or offered you valuable insights,
don't forget to hit the like button.
Don't forget to share it with others so
that it may benefit others, you know, your
family members, your friends on your social media
platforms,
and also subscribe to my channel for more
thoughtful content inshallah.
I wish you safe travels and blessed fast
wherever you may be.