The obligation of fasting even when work circumstances are not conducive to fasting

The obligation of fasting even when work circumstances are not conducive to fasting

Question:

I am a soldier, and the month of Ramadaan came upon me, so is it permissible to not fast knowing that the circumstances (at work) do not help/aid me upon fasting?

Answer:

It is not permissible for you to not fast in Ramadaan if you are a person who is required to fast, unless you are a traveller or are suffering from an illness with which you do not have the strength to fast – according to His Statement, the Exalted:

" and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship ." al Baqarah 2 : 185

" And He has not placed upon you in the religion any hardship." al Hajj 22:78

" Allah does not charge a soul except ]with that within] its capacity." al Baqarah 2: 286

And according to the statement of the Prophet sal Allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam:

" If I command you with a matter, then do as much of it as you can."

And my success is not but through Allah. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Shaykh `Abdullah bin Ghudayaan
Shaykh `Abdullaah bin Qu`ood
Shaykh `Abdur-Razzaaq al-`Afeefee

Question 3 from fatwa 3924 P232 Volume 10 Fataawaa of the Permanent Committee