Sawm lasts from dawn until sunset

Q: During Ramadan, I, along with a group with me, went from Madinah to Makkah to perform `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). We live in the Wa`irah District near the airport of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. It is well known that the airport is located to the east of Madinah. When we left our homes and reached the city center i.e., Madinah, we broke our Sawm (Fast) due to our ignorance of the ruling. I hope from Allah that Your Eminence will inform us about the ruling.

A: If the reality is as you have mentioned, then you are sinful for breaking your Sawm before leaving Al-Madinah. It was obligatory for you to ask scholars about the ruling before breaking your Sawm. You should make up for the day you missed while you were in Al-Madinah. There is no Kaffarah (expiation) obligatory for you unless you practiced sexual intercourse in addition to breaking the Sawm.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.