64/47. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4279 — Fasting or Not While Traveling
The Ghazwa of Al-Fath during Ramadan
Fasting While Traveling Hadith: One May Fast or Break the Fast
Sahih Bukhari : 4279
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4279
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ سَافَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي رَمَضَانَ، فَصَامَ حَتَّى بَلَغَ عُسْفَانَ، ثُمَّ دَعَا بِإِنَاءٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَشَرِبَ نَهَارًا، لِيُرِيَهُ النَّاسَ، فَأَفْطَرَ حَتَّى قَدِمَ مَكَّةَ. قَالَ وَكَانَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ يَقُولُ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي السَّفَرِ وَأَفْطَرَ، فَمَنْ شَاءَ صَامَ، وَمَنْ شَاءَ أَفْطَرَ.
Tawus Narrated from:
Ibn `Abbas said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) travelled in the month of Ramadan and he fasted till he reached (a place called) 'Usfan, then he asked for a tumbler of water and drank it by the daytime so that the people might see him. He broke his fast till he reached Mecca." Ibn `Abbas used to say, "Allah's Apostle fasted and sometimes did not fast while traveling, so one may fast or may not (on journeys)"
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4279In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 313USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 576
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4279
This hadith about fasting while traveling gives a clear summary from Ibn Abbas. He said Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم traveled in Ramadan and fasted until he reached Usfan. Then he asked for a vessel of water and drank during the day so that the people could see him. He then broke his fast until he reached Mecca. Ibn Abbas used to say that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم fasted while traveling and also did not fast while traveling, so whoever wished could fast and whoever wished could break the fast on journeys. This is one of the clearest narrations in this batch for people searching whether fasting while traveling is allowed. The explanation stays with the text: both actions happened, and Ibn Abbas gave a choice for journeys.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم fasted during travel and also broke the fast during travel.
- He drank in daylight so the people could see his action.
- Ibn Abbas said a traveler may fast or may not fast on journeys.
