The Prayer of the Traveler: How long is the period during which a traveler shortens and combines prayers, and if he prays with the congregation, does he complete or shorten?
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The questioner : He says: The Prayer of the Traveler: How long is the period during which a traveler shortens and combines prayers, and if he prays with a congregation, does he complete or shorten?
The Shaykh : Yes. The period after which the ruling of travel ceases is a matter of disagreement, as we mentioned earlier, with more than ten opinions. The stronger position is that it is not determined by a specific duration. As long as a person is a traveler intending to return to his homeland, but is detained by a need, trade, or the like, he remains under the ruling of a traveler, as mentioned by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). However, if he is in a town where the congregation is established and he hears the call to prayer, it is obligatory for him to attend the congregation. If he attends, he must complete the prayer, because if a traveler follows a resident, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer, whether he catches the prayer from the beginning or catches it in the middle.
Accordingly, if a traveler follows a resident in the last two units of the midday, afternoon, or night prayer, it is obligatory for him to perform two units after the imam’s closing salam. It is not permissible for him to say the salam with him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)Bulugh al-Maram 2:329 This hadith is general and includes the traveler who prayed behind the resident, as well as the resident who prayed behind the resident, and this is clear.
As for if he missed the prayer, or if he is in a distant place where he does not hear the call to prayer, he shortens the prayer until he returns to his homeland. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. The period after which the ruling of travel ceases is a matter of disagreement, as we mentioned earlier, with more than ten opinions. The stronger position is that it is not determined by a specific duration. As long as a person is a traveler intending to return to his homeland, but is detained by a need, trade, or the like, he remains under the ruling of a traveler, as mentioned by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him). However, if he is in a town where the congregation is established and he hears the call to prayer, it is obligatory for him to attend the congregation. If he attends, he must complete the prayer, because if a traveler follows a resident, it is obligatory for him to complete the prayer, whether he catches the prayer from the beginning or catches it in the middle.
Accordingly, if a traveler follows a resident in the last two units of the midday, afternoon, or night prayer, it is obligatory for him to perform two units after the imam’s closing salam. It is not permissible for him to say the salam with him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
If you hear the Iqamah, you must walk to the prayer (place) with tranquility and dignity, and do not hasten; and whatever portion of the prayer you get (along with the Imam) offer it, and complete afterwards whatever you missed.
إذا سمعتم الإقامة فامشوا إلى الصلاة وعليكم السكينة ولا تسرعوا فما أدركتم فصلوا وما فاتكم فأتمواAs for if he missed the prayer, or if he is in a distant place where he does not hear the call to prayer, he shortens the prayer until he returns to his homeland. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.