Observance or non-observance of Sawm for a traveler to perform `Umrah

Q: During the month of Ramadan, some Muslims need to (Part No. 10; Page No. 211) travel to perform `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or for various other reasons. Is it better for the fasting person to fast or not to fast while traveling to perform `Umrah? I hope to receive your answer in detail regarding this issue. I would also like to know whether it is better for someone who is performing `Umrah to stay as long as possible in order to pray as many of the obligatory prayers as they can at Al-Masjid Al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah), or to travel directly to their country after completing the `Umrah.

A: Firstly: It is an act of Sunnah (a commendable act) not to fast while traveling to perform `Umrah during Ramadan, as Allah has made a concession for travelers exempting them from fasting. Allah loves that His servants accept His concessions just as He hates that they disobey him in what He has prohibited them from doing. However, if someone chooses to fast, they are not to be blamed for doing so. Secondly: There is no doubt that it is better to stay in Makkah as long as possible to pray since performing one prayer in Al-Masjid Al-Haram is equal in reward to 100,000 prayers. But if one travels immediately after performing the `Umrah, they are not to be blamed for doing so.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.