Prayer while Travelling
Question:
If I am travelling and I am able to offer the obligatory prayer at their fixed times, am I still allowed to combine prayers?
Answer:
Shortening prayers when travelling is affirmed by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Muslim has the license to shorten and combine the prayers, and this is the opinion of the majority of scholars. Shortening prayer is preferred over offering prayer in full when travelling. Yahya ibn ‘Ishaq said I heard Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) saying, “We traveled with the Prophet (peace be upon him) from Madinah to Makkah and offered two rak`ahs (for every prayer) till we returned to Madinah.” I said, “Did you stay for a while in Makkah?” He replied, “We stayed in Makkah for ten days.” (Agreed Upon)
Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I accompanied the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during the journey, he did not pray more than two raka`ahs until his death. I also accompanied Abu Bakr and he prayed two raka`ahs and nothing more until he died. I also accompanied `Umar and he prayed two raka`ahs and nothing more until he died. I also accompanied `Uthman and he prayed two raka`ahs and nothing more until he died. Indeed Allah, the Exalted, said: “Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar”. (Agreed Upon)
Responding to this question, Dr. Muhammad Salah states that whenever you travel for a long distance, you have the concession to shorten the prayer. Also, whenever you have the opportunity to pray in congregation, you should join the congregational prayer. Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a prayer performed individually.” (Agreed Upon)
Enjoy watching this interesting talk to learn more about the rulings of shortening prayer when travelling.
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Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.
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