Q: There is a man in our village
who works in a bakery.
This man offers Salah (Prayer) and observes Sawm (Fast) in Ramadan - all praise be to Allah - but he asked me if he is permitted to break his Sawm during Ramadan? Please note that when he bakes the bread, he has to stand in front of the strong heat of the fire for a long time during the day when he is observing Sawm, (Part No. 10; Page No. 238) so he gets very thirsty and exhausted from his work. I hope that Your Eminence will answer my question on this matter, if Allah (Exalted be He) wills.
A:
This man is not permitted to break his Sawm; in fact, fasting is obligatory on him. Baking bread in the daytime of Ramadan is not a legitimate excuse for breaking the Sawm. He should work according to his abilities.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.