A muslim can implement their fast anywhere! There are situations, such as travel or a tempting environment, that may make it difficult to fast. Sh. Abdullah Oduro speaks about how to handle each of these scenarios when they arise.

Join us as we embark on a new adventure to mark your first—but not your last, inshallah—Ramadan as a Muslim. Sign up here.

Episode Transcript

(Note: the transcript has been edited for clarity)

0:00 - 0:13 Introduction

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wabarakatuh. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all. I'm Abdullah Oduro and welcome.

0:14 - 1:27 You can fast anywhere, but the traveller doesn't have to

Where does a person implement their fast? Anywhere. You can fast anywhere. There's no particular place where someone should fast. But, as we mentioned, the traveler does not have to fast. We characterize traveling as a person that leaves their general habitat and civilization which is characterized by the absence of buildings and plazas and things of that nature; (that is) when you start to see wilderness from city to city. Also to make the caveat, even if you're traveling by plane, it is still allowed for you to break your fast even though you'll find some people that say if you're not facing a stressful situation then you don't have to break your fast. Now mind you, you have the choice of keeping your fast if you travel. It is up to you, but there is the concession for you to break your fast, if you want to. Remember, if you break your fast you have to make it up. Some scholars mention if you're not facing a stressful situation and if it's not that stressful upon you, you can keep your fast to where you don't have to make it up in the future. That is better for someone to do (it) in those prescribed days. In conclusion, there is no particular place where one should break their fast.

1:28 - 2:44 Avoid environments that make it hard to fast

Wanting to make a side point here, that breaking the fast in the masjid is a beloved action. Those of you that may have non-muslim family members, try your level best to inform them of your fasting of Ramadan. You don't want to be in the house where your mom is making that home-cooked meal that you love and that you're so used to, or you don't want to be in an environment with your friends that may not understand your fasting and they're eating one of your favourite foods. You don't want to be in an environment that's going to tempt you to do something that may violate those elements of fasting. You don't want to be around that spouse; you may have a non-muslim spouse that may not hear the message of Islam yet and has not become muslim so they don't abide by those rules of Islam. You don't want to be in their presence if it's going to tempt you to do something that you may regret. We ask Allah swt to make you of those individuals that when you're fasting this month of Ramadan, to be disciplined enough to be in an environment that assists you in fasting for his pleasure. Assalamu alaikum. Thank you.