What is the Ruling on Praying Sunnah Rawātib (Regular Sunnahs) While Traveling?
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
Is it permissible to pray the Sunnah Rawātib (regular Sunnah prayers) while on a journey?
During travel, it is permissible to perform Sunnah prayers — but only when one is not shortening (qasr) the obligatory prayers.
If one is performing qasr (shortened prayer), then it is better to omit the Sunnah Rawātib.
However, other voluntary (nafl) prayers during travel are part of the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah, which, sadly, have become neglected in many communities.
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performing voluntary prayers while riding his mount, indicating by nodding his head, regardless of the direction it was facing. But he did not offer obligatory prayers on the mount.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1097)
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform voluntary prayers while riding his mount, facing wherever it turned. He would signal with his head. Ibn ʿUmar used to do the same."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1105, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 100/39)
"These ḥadīths are proof of the permissibility of praying voluntary prayers on a mount while traveling, facing any direction. This is agreed upon by the consensus of the Muslims."
(Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 5/210)
“Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to perform voluntary prayer during travel, he would first direct his camel toward the qiblah and say takbīr, then continue praying wherever his ride turned.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1225, Musnad Aḥmad: 5/203 – Chain is ḥasan)
✔ Sunnah Rawātib (regular Sunnah prayers) are better left during travel if qasr is being performed, though not strictly forbidden.
✔ Other voluntary prayers (nafl) during travel — especially those offered on a riding animal or vehicle — are established Sunnah.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed while traveling, facing any direction, especially on their mounts.
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpūrī
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to pray the Sunnah Rawātib (regular Sunnah prayers) while on a journey?
✿ Answer:
During travel, it is permissible to perform Sunnah prayers — but only when one is not shortening (qasr) the obligatory prayers.
If one is performing qasr (shortened prayer), then it is better to omit the Sunnah Rawātib.
However, other voluntary (nafl) prayers during travel are part of the Prophet’s ﷺ Sunnah, which, sadly, have become neglected in many communities.
① Sayyidunā ʿĀmir bin Rabīʿah رضي الله عنه reported:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performing voluntary prayers while riding his mount, indicating by nodding his head, regardless of the direction it was facing. But he did not offer obligatory prayers on the mount.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1097)② Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh bin ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما said:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform voluntary prayers while riding his mount, facing wherever it turned. He would signal with his head. Ibn ʿUmar used to do the same."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1105, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 100/39)❀ Commentary by Ḥāfiẓ al-Nawawī رحمه الله:
"These ḥadīths are proof of the permissibility of praying voluntary prayers on a mount while traveling, facing any direction. This is agreed upon by the consensus of the Muslims."
(Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 5/210)③ Sayyidunā Anas bin Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated:
“Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ intended to perform voluntary prayer during travel, he would first direct his camel toward the qiblah and say takbīr, then continue praying wherever his ride turned.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1225, Musnad Aḥmad: 5/203 – Chain is ḥasan)- Ḥāfiẓ al-Nawawī (in al-Majmūʿ: 3/234) and
- Ḥāfiẓ al-Mundhirī (in Mukhtaṣar Abī Dāwūd: 2/59)
graded the chain as ḥasan, - Ḥāfiẓ Ibn al-Mulaqqin (in al-Badr al-Munīr: 3/438) graded it ṣaḥīḥ.
Conclusion:
✔ Sunnah Rawātib (regular Sunnah prayers) are better left during travel if qasr is being performed, though not strictly forbidden.
✔ Other voluntary prayers (nafl) during travel — especially those offered on a riding animal or vehicle — are established Sunnah.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ and his companions prayed while traveling, facing any direction, especially on their mounts.
