Chapter on the Obligation of Shortening the Fast During Travel

Ubayd ibn Zurara asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام about the verse of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted: "So whoever among you witnesses the month, let him fast it." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185) Imam عليه السلام replied: "How clear it is! Whoever is present (not traveling) should fast it, and whoever is traveling should not fast it."

Muhammad ibn Hakim narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that he said: "If a man were to die while fasting during travel, I would not perform the funeral prayer for him."

Hariz narrated from Zurara, from Abu Ja'far عليه السلام, who said: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) called a group of people who fasted when he broke his fast and shortened his prayer as 'disobedient.' He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'They are disobedient until the Day of Judgment, and we recognize their children and the children of their children up to this day of ours.'"

Al-'Iys ibn Al-Qasim narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: "When a man travels during the Month of Ramadan, he breaks his fast." Imam عليه السلام continued: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) departed from Medina to Mecca during Month of Ramadan, accompanied by people among whom were pedestrians. When he reached Kurāʿ al-Ghamīm, between noon and afternoon, He called for a cup of water, drank, and broke his fast. The people with him also broke their fast, but some persisted in their fasting. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم called them 'the disobedient,' as one is obligated to follow the command of the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family)."

Aban ibn Taghlib narrated from Abu Ja'far عليه السلام, who said: The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) said: "The best among my nation are those who break their fast and shorten their prayers when traveling, rejoice when they do good, and seek forgiveness when they commit wrongs. The worst among my nation are those who are born into luxury, nurtured in it, eat the finest food, wear the softest clothes, and do not speak truthfully when they speak."

Ibn Mahbub narrated from Abu Ayyub, from Ammar ibn Marwan, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: "I heard Imam عليه السلام say: Whoever travels must shorten their prayers and break their fast, except in the case of a person whose travel is for hunting, committing a sin against Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Almighty, acting as a messenger for someone disobedient to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, pursuing an enemy, fostering enmity, engaging in slander, or causing harm to a group of Muslims."

Imam عليه السلام said: "A man should not break his fast in the Month of Ramadan except for a rightful cause."

Regarding Fasting Voluntarily While Traveling: Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Fasting while traveling is not an act of righteousness."

Al-Halabi narrated from Imam Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: He was asked about a man who leaves his house intending to travel while fasting. The Imam عليه السلام replied: "If he departs before the middle of the day, let him break his fast and make up that day. But if he departs after midday, let him complete his day."

Al-‘Ala’ narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Imam Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "If a man travels during the Month of Ramadan and departs after midday, he must fast that day, and it will be counted as part of his Month of Ramadan fast. However, if he enters a place before dawn with the intention of staying there, he is obligated to fast that day. But if he enters after dawn, fasting is not obligatory for him, although he may fast if he wishes."

Rifa‘ah ibn Musa narrated from Imam Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: "I asked him about a man who returns from a journey during Month of Ramadan, expecting to reach his family by mid-morning or later in the day. Imam عليه السلام said: 'If dawn rises while he is still outside (and has not yet entered his hometown), he has the option: if he wishes, he may fast, and if he wishes, he may break his fast.'"

Yunus ibn Abdul-Rahman narrated from Imam Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام that he said regarding a traveler who reaches his home while in a state of ritual impurity (janabah) before noon and has not yet eaten: "He must complete his fast, and there is no requirement to make it up." The Imam عليه السلام clarified: "This applies if his janabah resulted from a nocturnal emission (ihtilam)."

Abdullah ibn Sinan asked Imam Abu Abdullah عليه السلام about a man who engages with his concubine during the day in the Month of Ramadan while traveling. The Imam عليه السلام responded: "This person has not recognized the sanctity of the Month of Ramadan, for he has a long stretch of permissible time at night." The questioner asked: "Is it not permissible for him to eat, drink, and shorten his prayer while traveling?" The Imam عليه السلام replied: "Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, granted the traveler the concession to break the fast and shorten the prayer out of mercy and ease, considering the hardship, exhaustion, and difficulties of travel. However, He did not permit engaging in sexual relations during the day while traveling in the Month of Ramadan. For this, He has mandated the fast's make-up (qada) but has not required the make-up of full prayers when the traveler returns home." The Imam then added: "Religious practices are not subject to analogy. When I travel during the Month of Ramadan, I do not consume all food or drink in full measure."

Al-Halabi narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام that he said: I asked him about a man who fasted while traveling. The Imam عليه السلام replied: "If he was informed that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) prohibited fasting in such a situation, then he must make up for it (qada). However, if he was not aware of this prohibition, then there is no obligation upon him."