How long can a traveller shorten the prayers?
Source-verified English summary of the Shaykh’s ruling. The original Arabic source has been verified. Independent scholarly review is shown separately when completed; refer to the original Arabic source for the Shaykh’s complete wording.
Review status: Independent scholarly review pending.
Short answer
In summary, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen held that a person continues to shorten the four-rak‘ah prayers while they are genuinely travelling. He did not set a fixed number of days after which shortening automatically ends, but if the traveller joins a resident congregation, they complete the prayer with the imam.
What does that mean?
While you are still a traveller
The Shaykh explains that shortening remains connected to the state of travel itself, not to a fixed count of days.
When praying with a resident congregation
If you attend a local congregation whose imam is praying the complete prayer, you complete the prayer with the imam even though you are travelling.
Try this scenario
You are away from home for a period and still regard yourself as travelling.
According to the Shaykh’s answer, you continue to shorten the four-rak‘ah prayers while the state of travel remains.
While travelling, you enter a mosque and join a resident imam praying four rak‘ahs.
Complete the prayer with the imam rather than leaving after two rak‘ahs.
What can change the answer?
- Are you still genuinely travelling?
- Are you praying by yourself or behind a resident imam?
- Is congregational prayer established where you are staying?
Quick check
- Does the Shaykh set one fixed maximum number of travel days for shortening?
- NoHis answer ties shortening to the continuing state of travel rather than a fixed day count.
- Do you leave after two rak‘ahs when following a resident imam who is praying four?
- NoThe Shaykh says the traveller completes the prayer with the imam.
Why?
In this answer, the Shaykh distinguishes between a traveller praying on their own and a traveller joining a resident congregation, and he does not set a fixed maximum duration for qasr.
Check you understood
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: Complete four with the imam
The Shaykh states that a traveller praying behind an imam who completes the prayer must complete it with him.
Original source
عدة أسئلة في قصر الصلاة
- Shaykh
- Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله
- Series
- فتاوى نور على الدرب
- Reference
- الشريط رقم [345]
- Review status
- Official Arabic source verified; independent scholarly review pending
Source-verified English summary of the Shaykh’s ruling. The original Arabic source has been verified. Independent scholarly review is shown separately when completed; refer to the original Arabic source for the Shaykh’s complete wording.