Travelling during Ramadan

[vwayling]

Assalamu alaykum brother

I will be flying internationally, insha'allah, on 30th September.  My flight leaves Sydney at 3.15pm and I will be flying west.  I understand that you do not have to fast if you are on a journey, however being the last day of Ramadan I would like to keep the fast if I can.  My concern is that because I will be flying away from sunset and backwards in time due to time zones how will I know when to break my fast?  It could be still daylight outside of the plane for another 5 hours or more after I leave Sydney.

Jazakallah khair for your assistance.

Salams
Vanessa

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

Wa alaikumusalaam wa rahmatullah

Since you are leaving Sydney before the fast is finished, then  you will continue to be in fast until the place you are in has the sunset.  Allah said in the Quran, "... then complete the fast till the night (falls)." Surah Baqarah.  Also, the Prophet (s) clarified it further in number of hadith.

So, while you are in plane, you can keep a close watch outside and note the decline of the sun.  You will be above the clouds and so most likely you should be able to see the sun set.  Whenever the sun sets outside the plane from your view point at that altitude, then you do iftar. 

If you were to reach your destination before sunset, then you wait there and do iftar with timings for sunset at the place.  Otherwise, as described above by sighting the sunset outside your plane.

Wassalamu alaikum

[vwayling]

Assalamu alaykum

Jazakallah khair for your response brother.  As I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi and my flight is direct, I have tried to calculate as best I can, insha'allah, based on time zones and flying times that it may be another 7 or 8 hours after I leave Sydney before I see the sunset from the plane (which will be between 10.00 - 11.00pm Sydney time), therefore I would have been fasting for 18 or 19 hours.  As I would have been flying for 7 or 8 of those hours I am interested in what the opinion is for not fasting as it may be harmful to my health to be flying for such a long time without any fluids.

I am a recent revert and do not have the knowledge to make an informed decision on this subject.  Thank you for your patience.

Salams
Vanessa

[Aslam AbuIsmaeel]

Wa alaikumusalam wa rahmatullah

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I pray Allah rewards your keeness to find and do what pleases Allah subhanahu wa ta'alaa and I pray He increases us all in knowledge of all that which pleases Him. 

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Whoever is on a journey and is a traveller, they are free to not fast the length of their journey during Ramadan - whether journey is easy or hard. 

If fasting is easy on the journey, then it is an option and upto them to fast or not fast - no blame either way.

But if fasting is difficult but not harmful -> better to not fast.  The Prophet said to a man for whom fasting was difficult, "It is not from righteousness to fast on a journey."

But if it is harmful to health - or to Islam -> it is a sin to fast.  The Prophet said on an expedition where the strength was needed but some people did not break fast, he said, "They are sinners, they are sinners!"

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In your situation, due to the long hours of travel on a journey, you are at complete liberty to fast or not fast.  If you did not fast then you make up the day later on after Ramadan (Qada).  But, if it is harmful to your health, then you should break fast for such a journey to protect health.


Wassalamu alaikum