Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Asalaam Alaikum,
I will be traveling To Mecca and Medina this ramadan. I was wondering if I should fast while I travel, and how should I go about praying my salah while traveling through so many time zones. Also, is it okay to pray my salah while sitting in the air plane or do I have to stand? Jazak Allah for taking time to read my questions, please get back to me soon. I will be leaving in 9 days.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that you are well, and in the best of health and spirits. May Allah grant you all good in this life and the next. May Allah grant you a safe and blessed journey.
Please see the Related QA. In short:
(a) If you initiate your journey before the Fajr time enters, then you don’t have to fast that day. Once you’re a traveller, you don’t have to fast subsequent days–though it is recommended if you are able to without hardship;
(b) If fasting on the plane, you’d break your fast when Maghrib time enters relative to the plane itself;
(c) If able, it is necessary to pray standing on the plane. See the answers for details.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani