What is the Ruling if One Kept a Fast, then Travels and Breaks it on His Way? – Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I have a question regarding a fast done during Ramadan a few years ago. That day, I had to take a plane from France to India. 

I made the intention to do the fasting before Fajr as I was still at home in France.

But I broke my fast once I was on the plane but still in my city in France. The plane still had to take off. I think that was a mistake as I should have waited at least to be 100 km from my city to break my fast. 

I wanted to know what is the Fidya to be paid in that case. For information, I made up that fast that year.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question and for seeking an Islamic answer.

Generally, in the Hanafi school, breaking one’s fasting deliberately requires a makeup fast and necessitates expiation (kaffara). However, in your case, you will be considered out of city limits sat on the plane. You may follow the Hanbali school wherein if one is fasting and once they have left the city to travel, are allowed to break the fast.  This way, you will not be required to pay an expiation (kaffara). [Ibn Qudama, Mughni]

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.

Related Answers

Accidental & Forgetful Breaking of the Fast: What Is the Difference? – SeekersGuidance

Fasting: A Comprehensive SeekersGuidance Reader – SeekersGuidance

Making the Most of Ramadan: A Comprehensive Answers Guide – SeekersGuidance

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I pray this helps with your question.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied within UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan and Turkey.

He started his early education in UK. He went onto complete hifz of Qur’an in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in UK where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then travelled to Karachi, Pakistan.

He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.

He currently resides in UK with his wife. His personal interest is love of books and gardening.