How is iftar time determined on an airplane?

The time to break the fast for someone observing Ramadan is linked to the time for Maghrib prayer, that is, when the sun sets.

وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ
"And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the night." [1]

It is narrated from Ibn Abu Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ اللَّيْلَ قَدْ أَقْبَلَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ نَحْوَ الْمَشْرِقِ- فَقَدْ أَفْطَرَ الصَّائِمُ
"Once, when we could not see the sun set, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 'When you see the night approaching from this direction'—and he pointed towards the east—'then the fasting person may break his fast.'" [2]

This is understood to mean that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave guidance on determining iftar time when the sun is obscured by clouds. [3]

Based on this, scholars have stated that whether a person is resident or traveling, they should break their fast when the sun sets in their current location, or, on cloudy days, when darkness falls. [4]

The prayer timetables and Ramadan fasting schedules commonly used today are based on sunset times for those on flat ground. However, just as the timing of night and day differs between the east and west of the globe, the higher you are above ground, the later the sun sets. Scholars have historically issued rulings based on the height of a famous tower in Alexandria. In modern times, this means that someone in a tall building or on a mountain should not break their fast according to the time for those at ground level. Instead, the fasting person should determine the actual moment of sunset from their own vantage point. [5]

Therefore, passengers on an airplane flying at altitude should break their fast only after the sun has completely set. If it is not possible to see the sunset, then it is permissible to break the fast when the darkness of night becomes apparent.

From the book "Fatwas on Ramadan Fasting"

• [1] Surah al-Baqarah, verse 187.

• [2] Bukhari No. 1941; No. 1956.

• [3] Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, Kitab al-Siyam, No. 1941; No. 1956.

• [4] Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, 4/461.

• [5] Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, 4/461.