It’s Ramadan season again and what an exciting time it portends for the haulage industry, truck drivers, trucking companies and users of haulage services. While many will see it as an opportunity to once again renew their allegiance to a faithful Allah (SWT) whose mercies and kindness have greatly been the bedrock of their survival thus far, not a few will also see it as a challenging time for their business most especially when the rigor of running a thriving haulage firm is placed alongside the fundamental routines or requirements attached to the observation of Ramadan such as fasting, prayer time and breaking of fast.
It would therefore not be out of place to see a situation where some drivers are caught in an internal warfare or crossroad of deciding whether or not to join other faithful in performing this religious obligation. Some trucking companies may also wonder if there is any justification in granting some concessions to drivers who may be observing this very fundamental demand of the Islamic Faith.
Islam, just like other major religions is a way of life and it has been divinely imbued with the capacity to address proactively and without any ambiguity some of the issues we have raised above. In this article, we will explore what the Faith says on matters pertaining to Ramadan and its specific implication for the trucking business.
Ramadan & the Truck Driver
A traveler has a choice between fasting and breaking the fast, regardless of the length and the purpose of the journey. Whether the believer is a frequent traveler like the airplane pilots, bus and truck drivers, train engineers, or ship captains or the journey is an emergency, for Hajj, to visit relatives or for business. As for cab drivers, if the weather is hot, they may change their working hours to nighttime until the weather is cooler.
There are however two conditions attached to the above:
One is that they are not intending their journey as a masquerade and trick to avoid fasting. If that is the intent, breaking the fast is prohibited and fasting becomes mandatory upon him during the course of the journey.
Second is that they must make up for the days of fasting that they miss before the start of the following month of Ramadan.
Allah (SWT) states: “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 difficulties…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:185) Allah repeated this verse twice to underscore the fact that it is not abrogated with the general command to fast.
The above verse has considered the hardship encountered on a journey as equal to hardship in sickness, and thus allows those faced with either condition not to fast. Perhaps the reason can be found in the very meaning of the Arabic word Safar, which implies exposing oneself during the course of a journey to elements of hardship in transportation, food, time and climate changes, cultural shocks of all sorts, or even just general wear and tear.
Even in this age of jets and supersonic air travel, traveling poses a danger to the sojourner. Because of this possibility, the Lawgiver has permitted the traveler to eat, so fasting does not add to his already difficult situation. This is why the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has been reported as saying, “The journey is a type of punishment.” He or she, however, would have to make up the day. The permission to not fast during a journey is the same as if a person decides to fast while on a journey, he can do so and the fast is valid.
What is Better, Fasting or Breaking?
In analyzing the case of a traveler or the truck driver, many scholars said the best in this case is what is easiest for the traveler. But one can strive to fast for the following reasons:
This was the preference of the Prophet (PBUH) as related by Abi Darda (RAA), who said: “We journeyed with the Prophet (PBUH) during Ramadan when it was an extremely hot (season). Some of us shaded ourselves with our hands, because of the extreme heat. No one was fasting among us except the Prophet and Abdullah bin Abi Rawahah. The Prophet broke his fast in consideration for his companions when he knew that the fast was getting the best of the companions and bringing on them an unnecessary hardship” – (Muslim). In another hadith reported by Jabir Bin Abdullah (RAA): “When the Prophet (PBUH) journeyed to Makkah, in the year of victory, he fasted until he reached a place known as Kara’ah Al-Ghanim. He was informed that the companions who were fasting were having difficulty with the fast. So, they were waiting to see what he would do. The Prophet (PBUH) then requested a goblet full with water after Asr prayer and drank it while everyone was looking.” (Reported by Muslim) This hadith indicates how fasting is better during a journey, unless there is unreasonable hardship.
Another reason why fasting is better is because it helps to meet the obligation of fast without any delay. For you do not know when death or sickness may come. Besides, it is easier to fast when all the believers are fasting at the same time. This is why they say that the difficult obligations, when done with other Muslims, become easier. It is easier to fast the whole month of Ramadan, whereas, when a person misses one day of Ramadan, he may put off redeeming his fast until Sha’aban, one month before the next Ramadan.
However, it must be clearly stated that if a long distance traveler or a truck driver on a long journey breaks the fast, there is nothing wrong with it, and if he fasts, there is also nothing wrong with it. The Prophet (PBUH) both fasted and broke the fast when travelling, as did his companions. Breaking the fast is a concession granted by Allah (SWT) to travellers whether the traveller is travelling by truck, car or camel or ship or airplane. There is no differentiation in that. The traveller may break his fast during Ramadan, but if he fasts there is nothing wrong with it. If it is too difficult for him to fast, then it is better for him not to fast. For example, if it is hot and difficult, then it is better not to fast. Not fasting is emphasised so that one may avail oneself of a concession granted by Allah (SWT). But then, the missed days must be made up at least a month before the next Ramadan.
