Does breaking the fast during continuous fasting (Tatabu') for a permissible reason like travel interrupt the continuity?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
The apparent view attributed to Ahmad is that breaking the fast due to permissible travel does not sever the continuity of the required sequence (Tatabu'). This is evidenced by his statement that travel, being less critical than obligatory Ramadan fasts, should not necessitate breaking the continuity. This position aligns with the view of Al-Hasan. Travel permits breaking the fast, similar to a woman experiencing menses, and thus does not nullify the required sequence, unlike breaking the fast without a valid excuse, which is not permissible.
Supporting text
An alternative view, held by Malik and the scholars of Ra'y (Ahl al-Ra'y), is that breaking the fast due to travel does sever the continuity. Scholars within the Shafi'i school hold conflicting views: some assert two possibilities like in cases of sickness, while others maintain unanimously that continuity is broken because travel is an action performed by choice, akin to breaking the fast without an excuse.