Should I Feel Bad for Not Fasting When I Had to Travel?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Ustadha Sulma Badrudduja
Question: I had to travel 77miles to a work workshop which lasted all day. I did not fast.
Although I know in fiqh one has leeway to not fast when travelling I feel extremely guilty.
My naffs overwhelmed me and I could not but help but make use of this leeway
I understand I am not sinful in doing this but why do I feel so bad.
I will make up this fast but have I done anything wrong?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I hope you are doing well inshaAllah. A traveler may leave fasting and make up the fast later. There is absolutely no sin in this, even if the journey is easy for him. You do not need to feel guilty for using this dispensation that Allah has given us out of His mercy.
It is better for one, if able, to fast while traveling, as mentioned in the Quranic ayah. However, again, it is neither sinful nor disliked to leave the fast even if the journey is easy. You have not done anything wrong in deciding to leave it.
As a final note, please be aware that if one begins the day (when Fajr enters) as a resident (i.e. non-traveler) then they must fast, and complete the fast of the day, even if they travel later in the day. In order to be exempt from fasting, the traveler must be in the state of travel when Fajr enters. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Wassalam,
Sulma
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
