Rulings on Qasr Prayer and Jumu‘ah During a Journey for Education
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
Question:
A person travels to Riyadh on Friday evening for educational purposes and returns on Monday at ‘Asr time. Should he follow the rulings of a traveller regarding prayers during this period?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
Indeed, such a person will be considered a Shar‘i traveller, because:
- He has not made the city where he is studying his homeland.
- He has no intention of permanent residence there.
- His stay is only for the purpose of education.
Importance of Congregational Prayer for the Traveller
If he is staying in a city where congregational prayer is established, he is also obliged to attend it.
It is a common but incorrect belief among the public that Jumu‘ah and congregational prayer are not obligatory for the traveller. The truth is:
- Prayer remains obligatory for the traveller, even if he is engaged in battle, as Allah ﷻ says:
﴿ وَإِذا كُنتَ فيهِم فَأَقَمتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلوةَ فَلتقُم طائِفَةٌ مِنهُم مَعَكَ… ﴾
Sūrat an-Nisā’: 102
“And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand with you…”
Obligation of Jumu‘ah Prayer on the Traveller
Jumu‘ah prayer is also obligatory upon one who hears the adhān, as Allah ﷻ says:
﴿ يـأَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا إِذا نودِىَ لِلصَّلوةِ مِن يَومِ الجُمُعَةِ فَاسعَوا إِلى ذِكرِ اللَّهِ… ﴾
Sūrat al-Jumu‘ah: 9
“O you who have believed, when [the call] is made for the prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah…”
When to Perform Qasr Prayer
He should shorten the four-rak‘ah prayers to two rak‘ahs if:
- The prayer time is about to end, or
- He is at a great distance from the mosque.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
