Q: The Muslim World League received a message from Shaykh Muhammad Dayr Manja, its envoy in Copenhagen, Denmark, saying that in some parts of the Scandinavian countries, the day is much longer than the night, depending on the time of year. The night may be only three hours long, while the day is twenty-one hours. If Ramadan comes in the winter, the Muslims fast for only three hours, but if it comes in the summer, they do not fast because they are not able to, as the day is too long. Shaykh Dayr Manja asked for a Fatwa fixing the time of Iftar (breaking the Fast), Suhur (pre-dawn meal before the Fast), and the period during which the Sawm (Fast) of Ramadan is due to make it known to the Muslims in these countries.I ask you to issue a legal statement to this effect so that I can provide him with the right answer.

(Part No. 10; Page No. 114)  After studying the matter in question, the committee answered as follows: Islam is perfect and comprehensive. Allah (Exalted be He) says, This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. And said, Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "What thing is the most great in witness?" Say: "Allâh (the Most Great!) is Witness between me and you; this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach. He also said, And We have not sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind Allah has told the believers that Sawm is obligatory, as He (Exalted be He) said, O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - See V.2: 2). And Allah has explained when Sawm should begin and end, as He said, ...and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. This ruling is not addressed to any particular country or type of people; it is a universal law, which also includes the people asked about in the question. Allah is Merciful and Kind towards His Servants and has prescribed for them ways of ease to help them to do what He has made obligatory. (Part No. 10; Page No. 115) For example, He allows travelers and the sick not to fast during Ramadan, to save them from hardship, as He says, The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. So every Mukallaf (person meeting the conditions to be held legally accountable for their actions) Muslim who is present when Ramadan comes is obliged to fast, regardless of whether the day is short or long. If a person is unable to complete a day’s Sawm, and fears that he may die or become ill, he is permitted to eat just enough to keep his strength up and keep himself safe from harm, then he should stop eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and make up the days he missed later on, when he is able to fast.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.