Truck drivers during Ramadan

Q: Some truck drivers travel all year long due to the nature of their work. Is it permissible for them not to observe Sawm (Fast) during the month of Ramadan? When are they required to make up for these missed days of Sawm? Or are they not permitted to break their Sawm during Ramadan?

A: If the distance they travel is equal to the distance over which it is permissible to shorten Salah (Prayers), then they are permitted to break their Sawm during their journeys. They must make up for the days of Sawm that they miss before the start of the following month of Ramadan. This is based on the general rule in the Words of Allah (Exalted be He): ...and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. They are free to choose any days to make up for the days of Ramadan in which they did not fast, to combine the two objectives of not causing them hardship and enabling them to make up for the missed days of Sawm.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.