Authored by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
"The Imam is appointed to be followed."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salah: Chapter on Praying on Roofs, Pulpits, and Wooden Platforms (#378)]
In another Hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Pray what you catch with the Imam and complete what you missed."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: Chapter on Saying 'We Missed the Prayer' (#635)]
These Ahadith are general and apply equally to both travelers and residents. Just as a resident follows the Imam, a traveler must also follow the Imam. Additionally, any missed units of prayer (rak‘ahs) while praying in congregation must be completed, whether the follower is a traveler or resident. This is a universal rule.
Musa ibn Salama narrates:
"We were with Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) in Makkah, and I asked him: 'When we pray with you, we offer four rak‘ahs, but when we return to our lodging, we pray two rak‘ahs. Why is this?' Ibn Abbas replied: 'This is the Sunnah of Abu al-Qasim (ﷺ).'"
[Musnad Ahmad, 1/216, Hadith #1865]
This narration establishes that when a traveler prays behind a resident Imam, they must complete the full prayer.
In another narration, someone asked Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
"Why does a traveler pray two rak‘ahs when alone, but completes the full prayer when praying behind a resident Imam?"
He replied: "This is the Sunnah."
[Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/571]
This Hadith is a clear textual evidence that it is mandatory for travelers to complete the full prayer behind a resident Imam.
2. Practice of Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered two rak‘ahs in Mina. After him, Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) continued this practice. When Abdullah ibn Umar prayed alone, he offered two rak‘ahs. However, when he prayed behind an Imam, he completed four rak‘ahs."
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin: Chapter on Shortening Prayers in Mina (#694)]
This was the practice of a Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), who not only followed it himself but also instructed others to do the same.
3. Dialogue with Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Abu Majliz narrates:
"I asked Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما): 'A traveler joins two rak‘ahs of the prayer with a resident congregation. Should the traveler stop at two rak‘ahs or complete the full prayer?' Abdullah ibn Umar laughed and replied: 'He must complete the prayer with the congregation.'
[Al-Bayhaqi, 3/158]
Sheikh Albani (رحمه الله) has authenticated this narration. [Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/22]
This serves as both the practice and a clear ruling of a Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Question:
Can a traveler shorten their prayer (Qasr) while praying behind a resident (Muqim) Imam?Answer:
It is obligatory for a traveler to complete the full prayer behind a resident Imam, regardless of whether they join the prayer from the beginning or during its course. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:"The Imam is appointed to be followed."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salah: Chapter on Praying on Roofs, Pulpits, and Wooden Platforms (#378)]
In another Hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Pray what you catch with the Imam and complete what you missed."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan: Chapter on Saying 'We Missed the Prayer' (#635)]
These Ahadith are general and apply equally to both travelers and residents. Just as a resident follows the Imam, a traveler must also follow the Imam. Additionally, any missed units of prayer (rak‘ahs) while praying in congregation must be completed, whether the follower is a traveler or resident. This is a universal rule.
Evidence from the Companions:
1. Statement of Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):Musa ibn Salama narrates:
"We were with Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) in Makkah, and I asked him: 'When we pray with you, we offer four rak‘ahs, but when we return to our lodging, we pray two rak‘ahs. Why is this?' Ibn Abbas replied: 'This is the Sunnah of Abu al-Qasim (ﷺ).'"
[Musnad Ahmad, 1/216, Hadith #1865]
This narration establishes that when a traveler prays behind a resident Imam, they must complete the full prayer.
In another narration, someone asked Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
"Why does a traveler pray two rak‘ahs when alone, but completes the full prayer when praying behind a resident Imam?"
He replied: "This is the Sunnah."
[Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/571]
This Hadith is a clear textual evidence that it is mandatory for travelers to complete the full prayer behind a resident Imam.
2. Practice of Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered two rak‘ahs in Mina. After him, Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) continued this practice. When Abdullah ibn Umar prayed alone, he offered two rak‘ahs. However, when he prayed behind an Imam, he completed four rak‘ahs."
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin: Chapter on Shortening Prayers in Mina (#694)]
This was the practice of a Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ), who not only followed it himself but also instructed others to do the same.
3. Dialogue with Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
Abu Majliz narrates:
"I asked Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما): 'A traveler joins two rak‘ahs of the prayer with a resident congregation. Should the traveler stop at two rak‘ahs or complete the full prayer?' Abdullah ibn Umar laughed and replied: 'He must complete the prayer with the congregation.'
[Al-Bayhaqi, 3/158]
Sheikh Albani (رحمه الله) has authenticated this narration. [Irwa al-Ghalil, 3/22]
This serves as both the practice and a clear ruling of a Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Summary and Ruling:
- A traveler praying behind a resident Imam must complete the full prayer (four rak‘ahs). This applies whether they join the Imam from the beginning or during the prayer.
- The rulings for this are supported by authentic Ahadith and the practices of Companions like Abdullah ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهم).
- Conversely, if a resident prays behind a traveling Imam, the resident must complete their full prayer. For instance, during the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (ﷺ) led a shortened prayer and instructed the residents: