Answer
Short Answer: Tacitly and discreetly, one’s travel companions get to know one’s true faith. So do keep in mind, that your family will judge Islam through you. This is, my sister, indeed a great honor: Allah has chosen you to become an ambassador of His religion. So rejoice! And look forward to learning new things through this experience.
………….
Asalaamu alaykum, and thank you for sending in your question to our website.
First of all, sister, I would like to congratulate you upon your conversion to Islam! I ask Allah to grant you steadfastness upon your new faith, and high ranks. Amen.
Avail the Ramadan Concession from Allah
Sister, during Ramadan, Allah has granted a concession to Muslims. They may forego fasting if they are traveling anytime during this month. The condition is that they have to make up the missed fasts later. The fasts have to be made up before the next Ramadan. For more details, click here.
Therefore, if you wish, you may forego fasting during those days of Ramadan in which you are traveling. That is, on the days you will be taking a flight(s), commuting by a long bus ride, or a road trip. On such days, you may forego fasting with the intention of making up the fasts later, during the lunar year.
Whether to fast on each day that you are traveling, or not, will depend entirely upon you. The ruling varies from Muslim to Muslim. It is based upon their health, physical strength, spirituality, and other circumstances. That is, how easy or difficult it is for them to fast whilst traveling, or to make up the missed fasts later. This determines which choice they should make.
Depending upon these factors, you should make your decision accordingly. Remember to be flexible.
Shortening and/or Joining Prayers
The other concession that Allah has granted to traveling Muslims, is the shortening of prayers. All prayers except the Fajr prayer may be shortened whilst traveling, if some conditions are met. In some cases, certain two prayers might even be combined. The Dhuhr prayer may be combined with the Asr prayer. As can the Maghrib prayer be combined with the Isha prayer.
Please educate yourself about the Islamic rulings for a Muslim traveler. And do eagerly avail these concessions for yourself, if they apply to your itinerary.
Keep a low profile
Sister, whilst you are vacationing with your non-Muslim family, please try to be discreet. You are still very young in age. As is your new faith still in its fledgling stage. By the will of Allah, you have a fulfilling journey of spiritual growth ahead of you. So try not to show any haste or harshness in adhering to Islamic obligations during this trip.
For example, you can choose vegetarian/seafood and non-alcoholic options when eating out at a restaurant. You can take a rain-check if your family members decide to go to a bar or nightclub. But you do not have to elaborately explain why you are choosing alternative options. Most people nowadays have strong personal preferences when it comes to food, clothing, and leisure. You do not owe others lengthy explanations or justifications for your choices.
You represent Islam
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links: