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Fatwa CenterThe mere intention of travelling does not make it permissible to break the fast
Question
What is the ruling on a person not fasting on a day of Ramadan on account of traveling, but then he does not travel that day. Is he required to observe an expiation or just make up for the day?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
A travelling person is allowed to break his fast in Ramadan and make up for that day later on. This is an ease that Allah has given travelers out of generosity and in order to make the religion easy for Muslims. Allah says (what means): {... So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it...} [Quran 2:185] A person cannot be considered a traveler unless he has already set out on a journey. The mere intention or will to travel does not suffice to break the fast in Ramadan. In other words, as long as a Muslim is settled (and not traveling), he is neither allowed to break the fast nor shorten the prayers.
That being said, the traveling person is treated the same as the one who is settled as long as he has not yet set out for his destination. If a person who has already intended to travel breaks his fast before starting his journey just because of the mere intention of traveling, then he must make up for the fast that he has missed, and he does not have to give an expiation. However, the person in question should have consulted people of religious knowledge before he broke his fast. Allah says (what means): {…So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 16: 43] With this in mind, that person has to ask Allah to forgive him for having committed something impermissible and for his negligence regarding inquiring about his case.
Allaah Knows best.
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