30/36. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 1946 — Fasting
It is not righteousness to observe Saum on a journey
Sahih Bukhari : 1946
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 1946
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنهم ـ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ، فَرَأَى زِحَامًا، وَرَجُلاً قَدْ ظُلِّلَ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ " مَا هَذَا ". فَقَالُوا صَائِمٌ. فَقَالَ " لَيْسَ مِنَ الْبِرِّ الصَّوْمُ فِي السَّفَرِ ".
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey."
[1] The Ahadith of this chapter show that it is permissible for one to observe Ṣaum (fast) or break his Ṣaum while travelling. But it is recommended for a healthy, strong person to observe Ṣaum , whereas a weak or sick person is recommended not to observe Ṣaum (fast). The saying of the Prophet ﷺ , “It is not from Al-Birr (righteousness) to observe Ṣaum (fast) on a journey,” is applicable to a particular case, i.e., when one is so weak or sick that observing Ṣaum (fast) would harm him. In such case one has to break his Ṣaum (fast), for Allāh does not like His devotees to harm themselves needlessly.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1946In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 53USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 167
