Question:
I will be staying in Makkah for five days on a visit visa for Umrah. During this time, is it better to offer the shortened prayer (qasr), or should I make a point of offering more voluntary (nafl) prayers?
Answer by Fadilat al-Shaykh Abd al-Wakil Nasir (may Allah preserve him)
1. The Virtue of Qasr Prayer for the Traveller:
All scholars agree that it is better and preferable for the traveller to act upon the concession.
Qasr prayer (offering two rak’ahs each of Zuhr, Asr and Isha) is a virtuous act, so shortening the prayer is the better option.
2. The Ruling on Voluntary and Sunnah Mu’akkadah Prayers:
While travelling, offering the sunnah mu’akkadah prayers (the sunnahs of Zuhr, Maghrib and Isha) is not established, except for a few specific prayers:
- The two rak’ahs of the sunnah mu’akkadah of Fajr
- The witr prayer
- The two rak’ahs after tawaf
Besides these prayers, the traveller may also perform other voluntary acts of worship, but the qasr prayer will be given preference.
3. Making an Effort with Voluntary Worship:
Alongside the qasr prayer, you may perform as much voluntary worship as you can, and the circumambulation of the Ka’bah (tawaf).
Offering two rak’ahs of prayer after completing the tawaf is also established from the Sunnah.
Summary:
- Offering the qasr prayer is a preferable and virtuous act for the traveller.
- One should offer the two sunnahs of Fajr and the witr prayer; offering the remaining voluntary prayers is up to you.
- Offering the two rak’ahs after tawaf is also sunnah, so make sure to observe them.
