Q: A person was traveling from Karachi to a city in Saudi Arabia, at the time of `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer in Ramadan. Some time after taking off, the host announced that it was Iftar time (time for breaking the Fast) in Karachi. But the sun was still visible to all the travelers on the plane. What is the ruling on the people who broke their Sawm (Fast)?

A: Scholars unanimously are of the view that Sawm lasts from dawn until sunset, because Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...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. Also, it was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the person observing Sawm should break their Sawm. Every person observing Sawm is subject to the ruling of the place where they are, whether they are on the ground or in a plane in the air. Based on that, if a person breaks their Sawm whilst boarding a plane according to the timetable of some city although they know that the sun has not set yet, then their Sawm is invalid, (Part No. 10; Page No. 297) because they broke their Sawm before the sun sets, and they have to make up for that day.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.