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Fatwa CenterPreconditions of breaking the fast during travel
Question
You know that Ramadhaan will be in September and that there are (educational) tests during that month, and my university and university housing are about 130 kilometers away from my house. The university housing restaurant does not open during this period, and I have to stay there for some days. What should I do?
May Allaah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Allaah The Almighty has allowed the traveler to break the fast out of mercy for him. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up].} [Quran 2:184]
So, if the distance between the last building in the town where you live and the university equals the traveling distance at which shortening prayer is permissible (roughly 83 km) or more, then it is permissible for you not to fast as long as your stay is less than four days, because you are still considered a traveler.
In such a case, you can refrain from fasting and must make up for the missed days of fasting, yet fasting during this period is better according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, as long as it will not be difficult for you.
However, if you will stay there for four days or more, then it is impermissible for you to refrain from fasting there according to the opinion of the majority of scholars, because you are no longer considered a traveler. Hence, you should take enough food with you or take money to buy enough food.
Allaah Knows best.
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