The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

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Issue No.1119- A traveller should reduce the Rak'ats in Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers, that is, he should perform two Rak'ats instead of four, subject to the following eight conditions:1) His journey is not less than 8 farskah (44 KMs approximately).2) The traveller should intend at the time of the commencement of the journey, to cover a distance of 8 farsakh.3) He should not change his mind while on his way.4) He does not pass through his home town, or stay, during his journey, at some place for 10 days or more.5) The journey should not be for a haraam purpose.6) The traveller should not be a nomad.7) Travelling should not be his profession.8) The traveller reaches the limit or point beyond which travelling begins.

Issue No.1121- If a person does not know whether his journey is eight farsakhs or not, he should not shorten his prayer. However, if he doubts the situation, he should enquire from people who are familiar with the path to his destination, in case it does not cause him much hardship.

Issue No.1122- A person can get the distance between two places in various ways: First, he himself has measured the distance and made sure about it. Second, it is well-known among the people. Third, a reliable person informs the traveller.

Issue No.1123- If a person, who is certain of the distance being eight farsakhs, shortens his prayer, and it transpires later that it was not so, his prayer is void and he should repeat his prayer and perform four rak‘ats, and if the time for the prayer has lapsed he should perform its qaḍā. However, if he is sure that the distance is not eight farsakhs but then realises on his way that it is eight farsakhs, he should shorten his prayer, and in case he already offered the prayer in fourrak‘ats, he should repeat the prayer.

Issue No.1124- If a person travels several times back and forth between two places which are less than four farsakhs apart, the prayer should not be shortened, even if the total distance covered by him may add up to eight farsakhs or more. However, if he is considered as a traveller by common understanding (‘urf), he should as an obligatory precaution offer both the complete prayer as well as the qaṣr (shortened) prayer.

Issue No.1125- If two roads lead to a place, and one of them is less than eight farsakhs, while the length of the other is eight farsakhs or more, the traveller should offer a shortened prayer if he travels on the road which is eight farsakhs or more, and should offer a complete prayer if he travels on the road which is less than eight farsakhs.

Issue No.1126- The beginning of eight farsakhs should be calculated from the last location of residence in the city [of departure].

Issue No.1128- A person, who is in search of something and does not know how much he should travel to find it, should offer complete prayer. However, if the return journey to his hometown or his place of abode is eight farsakhs or more, he should shorten his prayer.

Issue No.1130- If a person who is under the control of another person while going on a journey (e.g., a son who is travelling with his father), knows that his father’s journey is eight farsakhs, he should offer qaṣr prayer. Similarly, if a person (e.g., a prisoner) is taken away by force and he knows that the distance is eight farsakhs or more, he should offer qaṣr prayer, unless there is a reasonable probability that he will become separated from them and return before reaching four farsakhs, in case of which he should offer complete prayer.

Issue No.1135- When neither the journey itself is haram, nor it is for a haram purpose, but during the journey one may commit some sins, like engaging in backbiting or consuming alcohol or oppressing people, the prayer will still be qaṣr.

Issue No.1136- If a person undergoes a journey to flee from an obligatory act, e.g., one is in debt while the creditor demands repayment and its repayment is affordable, yet he undertakes a journey to escape repayment, he should offer complete prayer. In case however, he does not have such an intention, he should shorten his prayer.