Ruling on Fajr Prayer Timing and Qasr During Travel

Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02

❀ Question:​

If a person is traveling and stops at a place after sunrise, when should he perform Fajr prayer?
Also, is Fajr prayer shortened (Qasr) during travel?

❀ Answer:​

✦ The traveler should offer Fajr prayer as soon as possible upon stopping, even if the sun has already risen.
Delaying the prayer without reason is not encouraged.

✿ Timing Clarification:​

• Fajr prayer must be offered during its time—which begins at true dawn (ṣubḥ ṣādiq) and lasts until sunrise.
• If missed during its time due to unavoidable reasons (e.g., travel, sleep), it should be made up immediately after waking or stopping, even after sunrise.
• No time is prohibited for making up obligatory prayers, including Fajr.

✿ Qasr Ruling for Fajr:​

• Fajr is already 2 rak‘āt; therefore, it is not subject to further shortening.
• Qasr applies only to 4-rak‘ah prayers (Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, and ʿIshāʾ).
• Hence, Fajr remains 2 rak‘āt during travel, and no Qasr is performed for it.

✿ Sunnah Practice:​

• The Prophet ﷺ would perform the two Sunnah rak‘āt of Fajr even while traveling.
• So, a traveler should perform 2 rak‘āt of Sunnah before the 2 Fard if time permits.

✔ Summary:​

① A traveler who stops after sunrise should offer Fajr immediately, as a make-up (Qaḍāʾ).
② Fajr is not shortened during travel, as it is already 2 rak‘āt.
③ The Prophet ﷺ performed Sunnah of Fajr even during travel, so it is recommended to do so.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.