Is it permissible to shorten the prayer when intending to travel by airplane?
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The questioner : I have announced the departure for the airplane trip, and the time for prayer has arrived. Is it permissible for me to shorten the prayer?
The Shaykh : If you are in your town, it is not permissible for you to shorten the prayer until you leave. However, it is permissible for you to combine prayers if you fear that you will not be able to perform the other prayer in its time. For example, if the flight is at the end of the Zuhr time and you fear that you will not be able to pray 'Asr because the distance is far, there is no blame on you in this case to pray 'Asr with Zuhr, but without shortening; you pray it as four rak'ahs.
As for if you have left the town, such as if the airport is outside the town, there is nothing wrong with shortening, even if you are at the airport. Yes.
The Shaykh : If you are in your town, it is not permissible for you to shorten the prayer until you leave. However, it is permissible for you to combine prayers if you fear that you will not be able to perform the other prayer in its time. For example, if the flight is at the end of the Zuhr time and you fear that you will not be able to pray 'Asr because the distance is far, there is no blame on you in this case to pray 'Asr with Zuhr, but without shortening; you pray it as four rak'ahs.
As for if you have left the town, such as if the airport is outside the town, there is nothing wrong with shortening, even if you are at the airport. Yes.