بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Issues Related to Leaving the Fast — In the Light of Hadith

Fasting During Travel: Both Keeping and Leaving the Fast Are Permissible:

“Hazrat ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that Hamzah ibn ‘Amr al-Aslami رضي الله عنه asked the Noble Prophet ﷺ: ‘Should I fast while traveling?’—and he used to fast frequently. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: ‘If you wish, you may fast; and if you wish, you may leave it.’” (Sahih Muslim)

“Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه narrates: We set out with the Noble Prophet ﷺ for jihad during Ramadan. Some of us were fasting and some were not. Neither did the fasting ones criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those not fasting criticize those who were fasting.” (Sahih Muslim)

During Travel or Jihad, the Fast May Be Left Due to Hardship; If One Breaks It, Only Qada Is Required, Not Kaffarah:

“Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Noble Prophet ﷺ set out toward Makkah during Ramadan (with the intention of a campaign). When he reached the place of Qadeed, he broke his fast, and the people also broke theirs.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Due to Old Age or an Illness with No Hope of Recovery, Fidyah May Be Given Instead of Fasting:

For each missed fast, feeding one needy person two meals is required as fidyah.

“Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنه narrates that an elderly person has been granted concession not to fast; rather, for each fast, he should feed one needy person (two meals), and no Qada is required upon him.” (Hakim, Darqutni — Sahih)

A Menstruating, Pregnant, or Breastfeeding Woman Is Allowed to Leave the Fast; Later Only Qada Is Required:

“Hazrat Anas ibn Malik al-Ka‘bi رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘Allah has granted the traveler the concession of postponing the fast and reducing the prayer, and He has granted the pregnant and breastfeeding woman the concession of postponing the fast.’” (Sunan Nasai, Sunan Abu Dawood, Jami‘ Tirmizi, Sunan Ibn Majah)

“Hazrat Abu al-Zinad رحمه الله said: At times, the prescribed and Shari‘ah rulings may differ from personal opinion, yet it is obligatory upon Muslims to follow them. Among these rulings is that a menstruating woman makes up the missed fasts but does not make up the missed prayers.” (Sahih Bukhari)