Traveling and not intending to stay: shortening the prayer for twenty days
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 16189 )
Q 1: I traveled to one of the Arab countries outside the Kingdom with my family, and I stayed for more than twenty days, combining and shortening the four-rak'ah prayers. I prayed Zuhr and 'Asr as two rak'ahs each, and likewise I prayed 'Isha' as two rak'ahs combined with Maghrib, which I prayed as it is.
Is it valid or not, and if it is not valid, what must I do now?
A: If you did not intend a specific stay, then it is permissible for you to shorten the prayer; because the rulings of travel have not been lifted for you in this case. However, if you intended a specific stay exceeding four days, then it is not permissible for you to shorten the prayer; because the rulings of travel are lifted in this case, and it is obligatory for you to complete the prayer. But you are not required to repeat what you have done; because you were not aware of this ruling. However, in the future, do not repeat this; because it is not permissible, as we mentioned. As for combining prayers, it is prescribed for the traveler only when the journey is urgent. As for the resident, even if the stay is brief, it is better to pray each prayer in its time, due to the action of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the Farewell Pilgrimage. So what you did of combining the two prayers while you were staying is contrary to what is better. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q 1: I traveled to one of the Arab countries outside the Kingdom with my family, and I stayed for more than twenty days, combining and shortening the four-rak'ah prayers. I prayed Zuhr and 'Asr as two rak'ahs each, and likewise I prayed 'Isha' as two rak'ahs combined with Maghrib, which I prayed as it is.
Is it valid or not, and if it is not valid, what must I do now?
A: If you did not intend a specific stay, then it is permissible for you to shorten the prayer; because the rulings of travel have not been lifted for you in this case. However, if you intended a specific stay exceeding four days, then it is not permissible for you to shorten the prayer; because the rulings of travel are lifted in this case, and it is obligatory for you to complete the prayer. But you are not required to repeat what you have done; because you were not aware of this ruling. However, in the future, do not repeat this; because it is not permissible, as we mentioned. As for combining prayers, it is prescribed for the traveler only when the journey is urgent. As for the resident, even if the stay is brief, it is better to pray each prayer in its time, due to the action of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the Farewell Pilgrimage. So what you did of combining the two prayers while you were staying is contrary to what is better. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.