Praying While Traveling: Shortening (Qasr) and Combining (Jam') Prayers
Islam makes allowance for travellers. Two concessions are discussed in all schools: qasr (shortening) and jam' (combining) of prayers. This article is a general introduction; the details vary between schools, so please check your own school's ruling with a scholar.
Qasr: shortening the prayer
A traveller may pray the four-rak'ah prayers (Dhuhr, Asr and Isha) as two rak'ahs. Fajr (two) and Maghrib (three) stay unchanged. The Quran mentions this concession in Surah an-Nisa (4:101), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) practised it in his journeys.
How far is a journey?
This is the most common question. The majority of scholars (Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali) set the minimum at about 80 km (around 50 miles), based on a distance of roughly two days' travel by camel. The Hanafi school defines travel as a journey of three days, which scholars today convert to a distance in the same general range, with some variation in the exact figure. Some scholars say that custom determines what counts as travel, with no fixed distance. Because there are differing opinions, it is best to follow the opinion of the school you follow or your trusted scholar.
When does the concession start and end?
- It generally starts when you leave the built-up area of your town on a qualifying journey.
- Scholars differ on how long a stay at the destination allows shortening. Many follow a limit of about four days, after which you are considered resident; the Hanafi view is fifteen days. Others say that you may shorten as long as you intend to leave eventually and have no settled residence there. Ask your scholar if your stay is long.
Jam': combining two prayers
Combining means praying two prayers one after the other within the time of one of them: Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha. The majority of scholars allow it for travellers, either at the time of the first prayer or the second. The Hanafi school generally does not allow combining within a single time during ordinary travel, except at Arafah and Muzdalifah during Hajj, though a Hanafi traveller can pray each prayer at the end of its own time, close together in practice. Fajr is never combined with another prayer.
Qibla and times on the road
- Pray the obligatory prayers on land facing the Qibla if possible; see how to find the Qibla.
- On a plane, train or bus, scholars allow praying seated if you cannot stand or turn, doing your best to face the Qibla at the start.
- Use the prayer times of the place where you are. On prayertim.com, search for the city you are in; times change by a few minutes as you move east or west.
Sunnah prayers while travelling
The regular sunnah prayers are generally not offered while travelling, except for the two rak'ahs before Fajr and Witr, which the Prophet (peace be upon him) kept up on his journeys.
These are general notes, not a ruling. For your specific journey, consult a qualified scholar or your community's imam.