Fasting: Missed Fasts Due to Military Duty: Is Qadā’ and Kaffārah Required?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Fasting: Missed Fasts Due to Military Duty: Is Qadā’ and Kaffārah Required?

English:

Question #732:

A person performing military service could not fast during the month of Ramadan last year because of frequent traveling and being stationed at the base. As Ramadan approaches this year, he is still serving in the same area and does not think he will be able to fast this year, either. Does he have to pay the kaffārah after leaving the service, in addition to performing the qaḍā’ of those fast?

Answer #732:

Being in the place of military service per se does not justify not fasting, i.e. if the terms which make fasting obligatory are applicable, they must fast; otherwise, he should make up for the missed fasts in qaḍā’ and observe kaffārah as well and if he does not make up for them till the next Ramadan comes, he should observe the kaffārah of delay as well. However, if the terms which obligate fasting are not applicable in the service place, and because of the excuse of traveling he fails to fast in Ramadan, an excuse which extends until the next Ramadan, his only duty is to perform the qaḍā’ and no kaffārah of delay is obligatory for him.

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