Fasting: Fasting While Flying: Does Frequent Water Intake Require Qadā’ and Kaffārah?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Fasting: Fasting While Flying: Does Frequent Water Intake Require Qadā’ and Kaffārah?

English:

Question #735:

A passenger or a crew member aboard an airplane flying at a high altitude and bound for a distant city — a 2 1/2 to 3 hour journey — has to drink water every 20 minutes to maintain his equilibrium. Does he/she have to pay kaffārah in addition to performing the qaḍā’?

Answer #735:

If this work (a cabin crew, etc.) is necessary for them and they cannot take a leave or find another source of income and fasting, in such a case, is harmful for them, they are allowed to break fast by drinking water and make up for this fast later in qaḍā’ in case of which they are not required to observe kaffārah.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Fasting