The Book of Fasting - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2384

"O Messenger of Allah, I am a man who fasts continually: should I fast when traveling?" He said: "Fast if you wish and break your fast if you wish." 'Ata said: "someone who heard him told me that Ibn 'Umar (said) that the Prophet said: 'Whoever fasts every day of his life, and then he has not fasted."

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith establishes the permissibility and flexibility regarding fasting during travel. The Prophet's response demonstrates that fasting while journeying is optional, not obligatory, allowing the traveler to choose based on their capacity and circumstances.

The latter portion narrated through Ibn 'Umar contains profound wisdom: "Whoever fasts every day of his life, and then he has not fasted." This indicates that continuous fasting without break is not the intended practice of Islam. The Shari'ah has designated specific days for fasting and others for feasting. Perpetual fasting negates the wisdom behind prescribed fasts and violates the balanced approach Islam encourages in worship.

Classical scholars explain that the one who fasts continuously has, in reality, abandoned the true fast by exceeding its divinely prescribed limits. The legitimate fast is that which follows the Prophetic guidance regarding timing and conditions.

Legal Rulings

The traveler has the choice to fast or break their fast according to this authentic narration. This ruling applies regardless of whether the journey is easy or difficult.

Continuous fasting (wisal) is prohibited in Islam as it harms the body and contradicts the balanced nature of Islamic worship. The Prophet forbade his companions from practicing continuous fasting.

The days of Eid (al-Fitr and al-Adha) and the days of Tashreeq are specifically prohibited for fasting, emphasizing that not all days are meant for fasting in Islam.