Can I Break My Fast when Traveling?

Can you break your fast while traveling?

Yes, it is permissible for a fasting person to break his fast if he travels during the day . This is the view of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him). (See al-Mughni, 4/345)

This is indicated by the Quran and Sunnah.  

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

Whoever sets out during the day is “on a journey” so he may break his fast and avail himself of the concession granted to travelers. 

With regard to the Sunnah, Ahmad (26690) and Abu Dawud (2412) narrated that ‘Ubayd ibn Jabr said: I traveled with Abu Basrah al-Ghifari, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), in a ship from al-Fustat in Ramadan. He set off then lunch was brought (according to a report narrated by Ahmad: when we set off from Marsana he ordered that his food be brought). Then he said: ‘Come and eat.’ I said, ‘Can’t we still see the houses?’ Abu Basrah said: ‘Don’t you want to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?!’ 

Ibn al-Qayyim said in Tahdhib al-Sunan: 

“This is evidence for those who say that it is permissible for the traveler to break his fast on the day on which he travels during the day. This is one of the two reports narrated from Imam Ahmad, and the view of ‘Amr ibn Shurahbil, al-Shu’bi and Ishaq. It was also narrated from Anas and it is the view of Dawud and Ibn al-Mundhir.”  

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said in Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 25/212. 

“If a traveler sets out during the day, is it permissible for him to break his fast? There are two well-known scholarly views, both of which were narrated from Ahmad. The more likely to be correct says that that is permissible, as it is proven in al-Sunan that some of the Sahabah used to break the fast if they set out during the day, and they said that this was the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And it is proven in al-Sahih that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) intended to fast on a journey then he called for water and broke his fast while the people were looking on.” (Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 6/217) 

When can a traveler break his fast?

But he should not do that until he has started his journey and left his city. It is not permissible for him to break his fast while he is still in his city. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin said in al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (6/218): 

“If he sets out during the day, he is allowed to break his fast, but is that subject to the condition that he leaves his village first, or if he has decided to travel can he break his fast (before departure)? 

The answer is that two views have been narrated from the salaf. The correct view is that he should not break his fast until he has left his city or village , because he is not yet traveling, rather he has the intention of traveling. Hence it is not permissible for him to shorten his prayers until he has left his town, so by the same token it is not permissible for him to break his fast until he has left his town.”

And Allah knows best.