⫷ Correct Method of Qasr and Nawāfil for a Traveller in Makkah ⫸
I am visiting Makkah on a visit visa for 5 days to perform ʿUmrah. During this period, is it better to perform Qasr (shortened) prayers or to focus on more voluntary (Nafl) prayers?
There is unanimous consensus among scholars that for a traveller, acting upon the concession (rukhṣah) is better and more virtuous.
✔ Performing Qasr (shortened) prayers—i.e., two rakʿahs instead of four for Ẓuhr, ʿAsr, and ʿIshāʾ—is preferred and meritorious.
✔ Therefore, in Makkah, Qasr prayer should be performed during travel.
During travel, the regular Sunnah Muʾakkadah of Ẓuhr, Maghrib, and ʿIshāʾ are not obligatory nor emphasized, except for the following:
✔ Two Sunnahs of Fajr
✔ Witr Prayer
✔ Two rakʿahs after Ṭawāf (Ṣalāt al-Ṭawāf)
These are either confirmed Sunnahs or well-established from the Prophet ﷺ during travel.
Other Nafl prayers are optional, and may be performed as one wishes, without it being mandatory.
While performing Qasr prayers is preferable, it is highly encouraged to engage in:
✔ Extra Nafl prayers
✔ Frequent Ṭawāf of the Kaʿbah
✔ Recitation of Qurʾān and Dhikr
After completing Ṭawāf, the two rakʿahs behind Maqām Ibrāhīm are Sunnah, and should be performed with care.
Qasr is preferred and Sunnah for a traveller in Makkah.
Fajr Sunnah, Witr, and Ṭawāf prayer should be maintained.
Other Nafl prayers are permissible and praiseworthy, but not obligatory.
Use the opportunity to increase acts of worship, particularly Ṭawāf and duʿāʾ.
❖ Question:
I am visiting Makkah on a visit visa for 5 days to perform ʿUmrah. During this period, is it better to perform Qasr (shortened) prayers or to focus on more voluntary (Nafl) prayers?
❖ Answer by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh:
① Virtue of Qasr for the Traveller
There is unanimous consensus among scholars that for a traveller, acting upon the concession (rukhṣah) is better and more virtuous.
✔ Performing Qasr (shortened) prayers—i.e., two rakʿahs instead of four for Ẓuhr, ʿAsr, and ʿIshāʾ—is preferred and meritorious.
✔ Therefore, in Makkah, Qasr prayer should be performed during travel.
② Sunnah Muʾakkadah and Nafl During Travel
During travel, the regular Sunnah Muʾakkadah of Ẓuhr, Maghrib, and ʿIshāʾ are not obligatory nor emphasized, except for the following:
✔ Two Sunnahs of Fajr
✔ Witr Prayer
✔ Two rakʿahs after Ṭawāf (Ṣalāt al-Ṭawāf)
These are either confirmed Sunnahs or well-established from the Prophet ﷺ during travel.
Other Nafl prayers are optional, and may be performed as one wishes, without it being mandatory.
③ Emphasis on Voluntary Acts in Makkah
While performing Qasr prayers is preferable, it is highly encouraged to engage in:
✔ Extra Nafl prayers
✔ Frequent Ṭawāf of the Kaʿbah
✔ Recitation of Qurʾān and Dhikr
After completing Ṭawāf, the two rakʿahs behind Maqām Ibrāhīm are Sunnah, and should be performed with care.
❖ Summary:
Qasr is preferred and Sunnah for a traveller in Makkah. Fajr Sunnah, Witr, and Ṭawāf prayer should be maintained. Other Nafl prayers are permissible and praiseworthy, but not obligatory. Use the opportunity to increase acts of worship, particularly Ṭawāf and duʿāʾ.
