What is the ruling on praying the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib) while traveling?
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The questioner : A questioner says: We came from a journey on Friday, and we will travel on Thursday, if Allah wills. What is the ruling on praying the regular voluntary prayers (rawatib)?
The Shaykh : First: We must know that the traveler is like the resident in that he is required to perform many prayers, for performing many prayers is good. However, the Sunnah for the traveler is not to pray the regular voluntary prayer (rawatib) before the midday prayer (Zuhr), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the sunset prayer (Maghrib), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the night prayer ('Isha'). This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not pray these regular voluntary prayers. But he did not tell people, "Do not pray voluntary prayers." Voluntary prayers are open, whether traveling or resident. But the regular voluntary prayers attached to the prayer are not performed for the second, the Maghrib, and the third, the 'Isha. But if a person says, "I am here in the Prophet's Mosque, and I would like to make use of my time by praying voluntary prayers between the call to prayer (adhan) and the second call (iqamah) in the midday prayer or in the night prayer," we say there is nothing wrong with it. But note that it should be intended as a purely voluntary prayer, not as a regular voluntary prayer. The regular voluntary prayers are twelve. Who can count them for us?
The student: Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr).
The Shaykh : Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr).
The student: And four before the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : Before the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The student: And four after the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : No.
The student: There are four.
The Shaykh : Two rak'ahs.
The student: There are two, making ten.
The Shaykh : Yes, you want to complete ten before you get to the Maghrib and 'Isha? Rest.
The student: Two after the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : May Allah make it easy. Yes.
The student: Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr), four before the midday prayer (Zuhr), two after it, two after the sunset prayer (Maghrib), and two after the night prayer ('Isha).
The Shaykh : Perfect. Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr), four rak'ahs before the midday prayer (Zuhr) with two taslims, two rak'ahs after the midday prayer (Zuhr), two rak'ahs after the sunset prayer (Maghrib), and two rak'ahs after the night prayer ('Isha). These are twelve rak'ahs. Whoever prays them, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. Praise be to Allah. The price is cheap and the reward is great and large. But the two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer (Fajr) are the most emphasized of these regular voluntary prayers. They are distinguished by the fact that something specific is recited in them, and that they are lightened. In the first rak'ah, one recites, and in the second, [Al-Ikhlas 112:1]. Or in the first, [Al-Baqarah 2:136], the verse in al-Baqarah, and in the second rak'ah, [Ali 'Imran 3:64], the verse. They are also distinguished by the fact that they are lightened, but tranquility (tuma'ninah) is necessary. The Sunnah is to lighten them. If someone says, "I would like to lengthen the Sunnah of the dawn prayer (Fajr)," we say this is contrary to the Sunnah. The Sunnah is to lighten them. They are also distinguished by a third matter, which is what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 416Sahih (Darussalam) Yes.
The questioner : The questioner asks: Is it permissible?
The Shaykh : So, the answer to the question: We say that the brothers who came on Saturday or Friday and did not leave until Thursday may pray as much voluntary prayer as they wish, but they should not pray the regular voluntary prayer (rawatib) before the midday prayer (Zuhr), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the sunset prayer (Maghrib), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the night prayer ('Isha). Yes.
The Shaykh : First: We must know that the traveler is like the resident in that he is required to perform many prayers, for performing many prayers is good. However, the Sunnah for the traveler is not to pray the regular voluntary prayer (rawatib) before the midday prayer (Zuhr), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the sunset prayer (Maghrib), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the night prayer ('Isha'). This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not pray these regular voluntary prayers. But he did not tell people, "Do not pray voluntary prayers." Voluntary prayers are open, whether traveling or resident. But the regular voluntary prayers attached to the prayer are not performed for the second, the Maghrib, and the third, the 'Isha. But if a person says, "I am here in the Prophet's Mosque, and I would like to make use of my time by praying voluntary prayers between the call to prayer (adhan) and the second call (iqamah) in the midday prayer or in the night prayer," we say there is nothing wrong with it. But note that it should be intended as a purely voluntary prayer, not as a regular voluntary prayer. The regular voluntary prayers are twelve. Who can count them for us?
The student: Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr).
The Shaykh : Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr).
The student: And four before the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : Before the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The student: And four after the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : No.
The student: There are four.
The Shaykh : Two rak'ahs.
The student: There are two, making ten.
The Shaykh : Yes, you want to complete ten before you get to the Maghrib and 'Isha? Rest.
The student: Two after the midday prayer (Zuhr).
The Shaykh : May Allah make it easy. Yes.
The student: Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr), four before the midday prayer (Zuhr), two after it, two after the sunset prayer (Maghrib), and two after the night prayer ('Isha).
The Shaykh : Perfect. Two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer (Fajr), four rak'ahs before the midday prayer (Zuhr) with two taslims, two rak'ahs after the midday prayer (Zuhr), two rak'ahs after the sunset prayer (Maghrib), and two rak'ahs after the night prayer ('Isha). These are twelve rak'ahs. Whoever prays them, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. Praise be to Allah. The price is cheap and the reward is great and large. But the two rak'ahs of the dawn prayer (Fajr) are the most emphasized of these regular voluntary prayers. They are distinguished by the fact that something specific is recited in them, and that they are lightened. In the first rak'ah, one recites
Say: O you disbelievers!
قل يا أيها الكافرونSay, "He is Allah, [who is] One,
قل هو الله أحدSay, [O believers], "We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham
قولوا آمنا بالله وما أنزل إلينا وما أنزل إلى إبراهيمSay, "O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah
قل يا أهل الكتاب تعالوا إلى كلمة سواء بيننا وبينكم ألا نعبد إلا اللهThe two Rak'ah of Fajr are better than the world and what is in it.
ركعتا الفجر خير من الدنيا وما فيهاThe questioner : The questioner asks: Is it permissible?
The Shaykh : So, the answer to the question: We say that the brothers who came on Saturday or Friday and did not leave until Thursday may pray as much voluntary prayer as they wish, but they should not pray the regular voluntary prayer (rawatib) before the midday prayer (Zuhr), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the sunset prayer (Maghrib), nor the regular voluntary prayer before the night prayer ('Isha). Yes.