The traveller's prayer is a subject that comes up a lot in questions addressed to scholars. How long does it last? How is it performed? And many other questions besides...
The team at Haramain Voyages aims to shed light on a few key points, so that you can see things more clearly.
In what context is the traveller's prayer put into practice?
The first step is to define what a travel from a religious point of view. But also in everyday language.
So, a trip The term "leaving" refers to leaving the dwellings of the town in which you live, as Sheikh Al Albani explained. And he adds "which implies a preparation that is not that of the resident".
It seems obvious that we're going to prepare ourselves for the trip. For example, saying goodbye to loved ones, packing for the occasion, as for the Hajj. In conclusion, we need to have the intention to travel.
However, there are some discrepancies as to the exact distance that needs to be covered before it can be called a "journey". We can note that:
- Some scholars consider a journey to be a journey once it has covered approximately 85km, which is the most widespread opinion (Sheikh Ibn Al Outheymin, for example).
- Others prefer to refer to customs. For example, we sometimes travel more than 100km in a day, without this being called "travelling". (Sheikh Ibn At Taymiyyah)
Proof of salat musafir
Anas Ibn Mâlik (radiAllahu anhu) said:
"The Messenger of'Allah ('alayhi salat wa salam) only prayed two more Raka'ah, as soon as'he had travelled 3 miles or 3 farâsakh".Reported by Muslim
But there are also texts from the pious predecessors proving this Sunnah:
It is reported that'Abu El-Minhâl El-`Anzi said: J'I said to Ibn Abbâs (radiAllahu anha): "I stay in Medina for a whole year without being constantly on the move", Ibn Abbâs (radiAllahu anhu) replied: "Pray two Rak`a only". Reported by `Abd Er-Rezzâq in his "Moussannaf" (2/209).
As well as :
It is also reported that Masroûq stayed two years in Es-Silsila, and during all this period, he shortened his prayer, and (by this act) he sought to make the Sunna. Reported by `Abd Er-Rezzâq in his "Musannaf" (2/210) and by Ibn Abi Cheyba in his "Musannaf" (2/353).
And many more besides.
How do you say the Traveller's Prayer?
So, in practical terms, how do you go about it?
The aim is to shorten certain salawat (qasrou as salat) among the obligatory prayers :
- Fajr, 2 units - no change
- Dhor: 2 units instead of 4
- Asr: 2 units instead of 4
- Maghreb: 3 units - no change
- Isha: 2 units instead of 4
And the opinion of the scholars on this subject is as follows the obligatory nature of this Sunnah.
It is also possible to combine the Dhor and Asr prayers, depending on the progress of the journey. This Sunnah is a permission and not an obligation.
However, we should remember that the Prophet (alayhi salat wa salam) said: "Allah loves it when we take His permissions, just as He loves it when we fulfill His obligations."
An important point: group prayer takes precedence over shortening prayers. Therefore, anyone who is travelling, but is next to the mosque and hears the call to prayer, must pray as a group without shortening because he is praying behind an imam who is himself a resident and not a traveller.
Now that you know more about this Sunnah, all that remains is to put it into practice in shaa Allah!
THE HARAMAIN VOYAGES TEAM
