Is the consideration of traveling in the land based on custom? And is the journey from Makkah to Jeddah considered travel or not?
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The questioner : Is the consideration of traveling in the land based on custom? I ask for clarification. And is leaving Makkah for Jeddah considered travel or not?
The Shaykh : There is scholarly disagreement on this issue: is travel determined by distance, by time, or by custom?
The majority of scholars hold that it is determined by distance; thus, reaching approximately 81 kilometers constitutes travel, even if a person covers it in half an hour or returns on the same day. Some scholars say that the criterion is custom and practice; what people consider travel is travel, and what they do not consider travel is not travel. On this view, if a person flies to Riyadh and returns on the same day, people would consider it travel because of the distance to Riyadh. However, if he goes to Buraydah, has lunch with a friend, and then returns, they would not consider it travel because of the short distance. This view is closer to the truth, that the criterion is custom. However, a difficulty arises with this because custom is not consistent or regulated; some people may consider this travel while others do not. Therefore, it is not possible for people to be regulated in this matter unless we say that it is determined by distance, and that if you intend to travel to 81 kilometers or more, you are a traveler, and if it is less than that, you are not. As for Makkah and Jeddah, the distance between them in the past was undoubtedly the distance for shortening the prayer. But now it is not, because both have expanded and come closer to each other, so the distance between Makkah and Jeddah now does not reach the distance for shortening the prayer. Yes.
And I tell you: the correct view is with those who say that the criterion is custom. This is indicated by the fact that the people of Makkah performed Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), combined their prayers with him, and shortened their prayers with him, in 'Arafah and Muzdalifah, and this does not reach the distance that those who determine travel by distance have set. Yes, from the left.
The Shaykh : There is scholarly disagreement on this issue: is travel determined by distance, by time, or by custom?
The majority of scholars hold that it is determined by distance; thus, reaching approximately 81 kilometers constitutes travel, even if a person covers it in half an hour or returns on the same day. Some scholars say that the criterion is custom and practice; what people consider travel is travel, and what they do not consider travel is not travel. On this view, if a person flies to Riyadh and returns on the same day, people would consider it travel because of the distance to Riyadh. However, if he goes to Buraydah, has lunch with a friend, and then returns, they would not consider it travel because of the short distance. This view is closer to the truth, that the criterion is custom. However, a difficulty arises with this because custom is not consistent or regulated; some people may consider this travel while others do not. Therefore, it is not possible for people to be regulated in this matter unless we say that it is determined by distance, and that if you intend to travel to 81 kilometers or more, you are a traveler, and if it is less than that, you are not. As for Makkah and Jeddah, the distance between them in the past was undoubtedly the distance for shortening the prayer. But now it is not, because both have expanded and come closer to each other, so the distance between Makkah and Jeddah now does not reach the distance for shortening the prayer. Yes.
And I tell you: the correct view is with those who say that the criterion is custom. This is indicated by the fact that the people of Makkah performed Hajj with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), combined their prayers with him, and shortened their prayers with him, in 'Arafah and Muzdalifah, and this does not reach the distance that those who determine travel by distance have set. Yes, from the left.