Does the pilgrim from the people of Makkah shorten and combine prayers at the sacred sites?
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The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh: Does the pilgrim from the people of Makkah shorten the prayer at the sacred sites?
The Shaykh : The well-known view among the followers of the three Imams—Al-Shafi'i, Malik, and Imam Ahmad—is that the person from Makkah does not shorten or combine, because he is not a traveler. Travel is defined as reaching a distance of eighty-three kilometers or more. It is well known that 'Arafah is the farthest of the sacred sites from Makkah and does not reach this distance. Therefore, the people of Makkah do not combine or shorten; rather, they complete the prayers and pray each prayer in its proper time, whether in 'Arafah, Muzdalifah, or Mina.
Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him) held that they combine and shorten. He said: The reason for this combining and shortening is the ritual, not travel. Therefore, they shorten and combine even if they are in Makkah, or even in Mina, which is the closest of the sacred sites to Makkah.
However, the correct view is that combining and shortening in Mina, 'Arafah, and Muzdalifah—though there is no combining in Mina, only shortening—is due to travel, not the ritual. And travel is not restricted by distance, but by the state of the person. If a person prepares and readies himself for a journey and carries with him provisions and drink, he is a traveler. If it is a short outing where he goes out in the morning and returns in the evening, he is not a traveler.
Based on this, we say: The people in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to prepare provisions for Hajj, both the people of Makkah and others. For this reason, the people of Makkah were with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Farewell Pilgrimage, combining and shortening in following of the Messenger. He did not say to the people of Makkah: "Complete your prayers." This is the stronger position and the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
However, in our present time, if we look at Mina, we find that it has become a district of Makkah. The one who goes out to Mina is like the one who goes out to al-'Aziziyah; indeed, some residents of al-'Aziziyah al-Sharqiyah may be above Mina. Therefore, I see that it is more cautious for the people of Makkah not to shorten in Mina. As for combining, there is no combining for the people of Makkah or anyone else in Mina. They should not shorten but complete the prayer. If they pray with a person who shortens, when he says the closing salam, they stand up and complete the rest of the prayer. As for Muzdalifah and 'Arafah, there is no blame on them if they shorten and combine like the other pilgrims. Do you understand now?
The questioner : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh: Does the pilgrim from the people of Makkah shorten the prayer at the sacred sites?
The Shaykh : The well-known view among the followers of the three Imams—Al-Shafi'i, Malik, and Imam Ahmad—is that the person from Makkah does not shorten or combine, because he is not a traveler. Travel is defined as reaching a distance of eighty-three kilometers or more. It is well known that 'Arafah is the farthest of the sacred sites from Makkah and does not reach this distance. Therefore, the people of Makkah do not combine or shorten; rather, they complete the prayers and pray each prayer in its proper time, whether in 'Arafah, Muzdalifah, or Mina.
Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him) held that they combine and shorten. He said: The reason for this combining and shortening is the ritual, not travel. Therefore, they shorten and combine even if they are in Makkah, or even in Mina, which is the closest of the sacred sites to Makkah.
However, the correct view is that combining and shortening in Mina, 'Arafah, and Muzdalifah—though there is no combining in Mina, only shortening—is due to travel, not the ritual. And travel is not restricted by distance, but by the state of the person. If a person prepares and readies himself for a journey and carries with him provisions and drink, he is a traveler. If it is a short outing where he goes out in the morning and returns in the evening, he is not a traveler.
Based on this, we say: The people in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to prepare provisions for Hajj, both the people of Makkah and others. For this reason, the people of Makkah were with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Farewell Pilgrimage, combining and shortening in following of the Messenger. He did not say to the people of Makkah: "Complete your prayers." This is the stronger position and the choice of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him).
However, in our present time, if we look at Mina, we find that it has become a district of Makkah. The one who goes out to Mina is like the one who goes out to al-'Aziziyah; indeed, some residents of al-'Aziziyah al-Sharqiyah may be above Mina. Therefore, I see that it is more cautious for the people of Makkah not to shorten in Mina. As for combining, there is no combining for the people of Makkah or anyone else in Mina. They should not shorten but complete the prayer. If they pray with a person who shortens, when he says the closing salam, they stand up and complete the rest of the prayer. As for Muzdalifah and 'Arafah, there is no blame on them if they shorten and combine like the other pilgrims. Do you understand now?
The questioner : Yes.