The Book of Fasting

كتاب الصيام

Chapter 15: It is permissible to fast or not to fast during Ramadan for one who is travelling for no sinful purpose, if his journey is two stages or further. But it is better for the one who is able to fast without suffering any harm to do so, and the one for whom it is difficult may break the fast

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu'ba with the same chain of transmitters but with this addition that he (the Holy Prophet) said

" Take advantage of the concession of Allah Who Wanted it to you." When he (one of the narrators) asked him (the other one, Yabya b. Abi Kathar) he did not retain it in his mind.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported

We went out on an expedition with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the 16th of Ramadan. Some of us fasted and some of us broke the fast. But neither the observer of the fast found fault with one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast found fault with one who observed it.

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Qatada with the same chain of transmitters by different narrators (except this difference) that in the hadith transmitted by Taimi and Umar b. Amir and Hisham (the date of setting out is) 18th, and in the hadith transmitted by Sa'id it is the 12th, and in the one transmitted by Shu'ba it is the 17th or 19th.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported

We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during Ramadan and neither the observer of the fast was found fault with for his fasting, nor the breaker of the fast for breaking it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported

We went out on an expedition with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during Ramadan. Some of us observed the fast and some of us broke it. Neither the observer of the fast had any grudge against one who broke it, nor the breaker of the fast had any grudge against one who had fasted They knew that he who had strength enough (to bear its rigour) fasted and that was good, and they also found that he who felt weakness (and could not bear the burden) broke it, and that was also good.

Abu Nadra reported Abu Sa'id al. Khudri and Jabir b. Abdullah as saying

We travelled with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The observer of the fast observed it, and the breaker of the fast broke it, but none of them found fault with each other.

Humaid reported that Anas (Allah be pleased with him) was asked about fasting during Ramadan while travelling. He said

We travelled with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the month of Ramadan, but neither the observer of the fast found fault with the breaker of the fast, nor the breaker of the fast found fault with the observer of the fast.

Abu Khalid al-Ahmar narrated from Humaid who said

I went out and was fasting; they said to me: Break (lit. go back, repeat). He said that Anas reported that the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to set out on a journey and neither the observer of the fast found fault with the breaker of the fast, nor the breaker of the fast found fault with the observer of the fast. (One of the narrators Humaid said): I met Ibn Abi Mulaika who informed me the same thing on the authority of 'A'isha.

Chapter 16: The reward of the one who does not fast when travelling if he does any tasks that are required

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported

We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey. Some of us had been observing the fast and some of us had not been fasting. We got down at a place on a hot day. Most of us had the cloth for shelter. There were also those amongst us who sheltered (themselves against the rays of the) sun with the help of their hands. The observers of the fast fell down (on account of weakness). Those who had not observed it got up and pitched tents and watered the mounts. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The breakers of the fast have taken away the reward today.

Anas (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was journeying (along with his Companions). Some of them had observed the fast whereas the others had broken it. Those who did not fast girded up their loins and worked, but the observers of the fast were too weak to work. Upon this he (the Messenger of Allah) said

Today the breakers of the fast have gone with the reward.

Qaza'a reported

I came to Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) and he was surrounded (by people), and when they dispersed I said to him: I am not going to ask you about what these people were asking. I ask you about fasting on a journey. Upon this he said: We travelled with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) towards Mecca and we had been observing fast. We halted at a place. There the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: You are nearing your enemy and breaking of fast would give you greater strength, and that was a concession (given to us). But some of us continued to observe the fast and some of us broke it. We then got down at another place and he (the Holy Prophet) said: You are going to encounter the enemy in the morning and breaking of the fast would give you strength, so break the fast. As it was a point of stress, so we broke the fast. But subsequently we saw ourselves observing the fast with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey.

Chapter 17: The choice between fasting and not fasting when travelling

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b. 'Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about fasting on a journey, and he (the Holy Prophet) said

Fast if you like and break it if you like.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Hamza b. Amr al-Aslami asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) thus

Messenger of Allah, I am a person devoted much to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Fast if you like and break it if you like.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters that Hamza said

I am a person much used to fasting. Should I fast during the journey? (The rest of the hadith is the same.)

Hamza b. 'Amr al-Aslami (Allah be pleased with him) said

Messenger of Allah, I find strength in me for fasting on a journey; is there any sin upon me (in doing it)? Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: It is a concession from Allah. He who took advantage of it, it is good for him, and he who preferred to observe fast, there is no sin upon him. Harun (one of the narrators) in his narration said: 'lt is a concession, and he made no mention of" from Allah".

Abu Darda' (Allah be pleased with him) reported

We set out during the month of Ramadan with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in such an intense heat that one of us would place his hand over his head (in order to protect himself) against the excessive heat, and none among us was observing the fast, except the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and 'Abdullah b. Rawaha.

Abu Darda' reported

We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on some of his journeys on an intensely hot day so much so that a person would place his hand on his head (in order to protect himself) against excessive heat, and none amongst us was fasting but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and Abdullah b. Rawaha

Chapter 18: It is recommended for the person performing Hajj in 'Arafat not to fast on the day of 'Arafah.

Umm al-Fadl bint- al-Harith reported that some people argued about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day of 'Arafa. Some of them said that he had been fasting, whereas the others said that he had not been fasting. I sent a cup of milk to him while he was riding his camel at 'Arafa, and he drank it.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Nadr with the same chain of transmitters, but he did not mention that he was mounting (riding on) his camel.