✿ Sourced from: Aḥkām wa Masā’il: Ṣalāh Section, Volume 1, Page 232
From what distance does the ruling of Qasr prayer in travel begin?
Fatāwā Thanā’iyyah mentions 48 miles as the starting point, while some Ahadith mention three farsakh (e.g., in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ). What is the Shar‘i position?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, Ammā ba‘d!
✘ The narration of 48 miles is not authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
✘ There exists no sound Hadith confirming this specific measurement.
✔ However, the Hadith mentioning three farsakh is authentic and found in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا خَرَجَ مَسِيرَةَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَمْيَالٍ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةِ فَرَاسِخَ - شُعْبَةُ الشَّاكُّ - صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn, Bāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn wa Qasrihā)
Translation:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would travel a distance of three miles or three farsakh (narrator Shubah was unsure which), he would offer two rak‘ahs.”
✔ Scholars generally agree that:
➤ 1 farsakh ≈ 3 miles
➤ 1 mile ≈ 1.6 km
➤ So, 3 farsakh ≈ 9 miles ≈ ~14–22 km depending on estimation methods.
✔ Therefore, many scholars conclude that travel of 3 farsakh (or approx. 21–22 km) allows for Qasr prayer.
❖ The 48-mile figure is not supported by any Sahih Hadith.
❖ The authentic Hadith from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim sets the minimum Shar‘i distance for Qasr at 3 farsakh.
❖ Based on this, Qasr prayer begins once the traveler:
✔ Has exited the populated limits of his town/village
✔ And is journeying a distance of approximately 21–22 kilometers or more
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
❖ Question
From what distance does the ruling of Qasr prayer in travel begin?
Fatāwā Thanā’iyyah mentions 48 miles as the starting point, while some Ahadith mention three farsakh (e.g., in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ). What is the Shar‘i position?
✦ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, Ammā ba‘d!
❖ Clarifying the 48-Mile Opinion
✘ The narration of 48 miles is not authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
✘ There exists no sound Hadith confirming this specific measurement.
❖ Authentic Hadith Regarding Qasr Distance
✔ However, the Hadith mentioning three farsakh is authentic and found in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
✿ Hadith:
«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا خَرَجَ مَسِيرَةَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَمْيَالٍ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةِ فَرَاسِخَ - شُعْبَةُ الشَّاكُّ - صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn, Bāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn wa Qasrihā)
Translation:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would travel a distance of three miles or three farsakh (narrator Shubah was unsure which), he would offer two rak‘ahs.”
❖ Practical Understanding:
✔ Scholars generally agree that:
➤ 1 farsakh ≈ 3 miles
➤ 1 mile ≈ 1.6 km
➤ So, 3 farsakh ≈ 9 miles ≈ ~14–22 km depending on estimation methods.
✔ Therefore, many scholars conclude that travel of 3 farsakh (or approx. 21–22 km) allows for Qasr prayer.
✔ Conclusion:
❖ The 48-mile figure is not supported by any Sahih Hadith.
❖ The authentic Hadith from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim sets the minimum Shar‘i distance for Qasr at 3 farsakh.
❖ Based on this, Qasr prayer begins once the traveler:
✔ Has exited the populated limits of his town/village
✔ And is journeying a distance of approximately 21–22 kilometers or more
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
