Here is a question for you there is a Muslim girl in space right now as a tourist. Let us say she spends the month of Ramadan there and wants to fast. How will she determine the dates and times of her fast? Thanks,

Raana

 

Dear Sister Raana Assalamo Alaikum

May Allah increase your quest for knowledge, and reward you for that. Here is the answer to your question.

Answer:

         Islam is a religion that is based on the needs of human needs and its nature. Allah is All-Knowing and Merciful. He says in the Qur’an,

 

فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهرَ فَليَصُمهُ ۖ  وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَو عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةُ ُ مِّن أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللهُ بِكُمُ اليُسرَ وَلا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ العُسرَ وَلِتُكمِلُو العِدَّ ة َ

So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting. But if anyone is ill or on a journey, the prescribed period should be made up by days later. Allah intends every facility for you. He does not want to put you in difficulty. (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

         It is clear that Allah facilitates the traveler by asking him/her not to fast during the travel, but to complete the missed days later on.

         According to a hadith, the Messenger of Allah has said that it is not righteousness to fast during traveling. In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah had called them disobedient who fast during the journey.

         Fasting is not prescribed on astronauts while they are in the space, away from their homes. On their return, they should complete the count. Not fasting is the solution.

         If someone, in spite of the facility given by Allah and His Prophet, fasts and faces difficulty, Islam has no obligation to facilitate a disobedient person. Allah knows the best.

Dr. Syed Hasanuddin Ahmad