Can I Follow the Iftar Time of Makkah to Break my Fast?

I’m currently in Sweden. Fasting here is 21 hours. They say I can do iftar at the same time of Makkah. Is that possible?  

Dear Brother,

A fasting person should break his fast according to the iftar time of the country he is in. It is not permissible for him to follow another country’s timetable for fasting. (Religious Affairs)  

As praying and fasting is performed observing the prescribed times that is calculated extremely delicately regarding the condition of the sun, it is impossible to follow any other country or city.

Dear Brother,

Fasting for 21 hours is quite difficult. However, Allah swt states in the Quran that;

“Surely with difficulty is ease.

With difficulty is surely ease.” (Surah al Inshirah, 5-6)

Yes, there is certainly a relief and ease that Allah swt bestows His servants with every difficulty. We hope that with the power and ease granted to you, it will get easier for you to overcome the difficulties of a long fasting period. Besides, there are so valuable sayings of Our Blessed Prophet (pbuh) about fasting in Ramadan that encourage Muslims to endure the hardships of Ramadan:

Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

"Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

"Whoever breaks his fast without an excuse such as illness, travel he can never compensate this broken fast no matter how many days he fasts during his lifetime." (Tirmizi, Nasai, Abu Davud, İbn Maja, İbn Huzayma)

Dear Brother,

We also recommend you to read more about the “Wisdoms of Ramadan” to get more courage for the long days’ fasting. Furthermore, this may be a great opportunity for you to get the reward of one of the longest fasts ever.

If you have any further question about this issue or any other, please feel free to ask. We are here to assist you as best as we can.

Ramadan Kareem!